Dear Friends,

We are in the season of Advent. (Yes it has come around very quickly, I am sure it was June last week!) The word advent means arrival or beginning, such as the arrival of a person or the beginning of an event – which, rather neatly for Christians, encapsulates the arrival of Jesus on earth in the 1st century CE, as well as Jesus' expected return, in all divine power and glory, bringing a new heaven and a new earth.

Within the church calendar Advent covers the four Sundays before Christmas day, and it is in this time that we are to prepare and consider God with us, reflecting on the wonder and surprise of God's son arriving as a vulnerable baby born to ordinary people and continuing to challenge and broaden people's perception of God's power and authority. Ruling through serving. Increasingly though, this time is blurred with the rush to get ready for the Christmas celebration and in our busyness it is easy to forget to make time and space for God, to be intentionally aware of God's presence with us.

The Methodist Christmas campaign for this year is based on the carol "It came upon a midnight clear" (Singing the Faith 205) and in particular one line " hush the noise". With the whirl of carolling, Christingles, Christmas fellowship gatherings and I am certain many, many mince pies (and all of these things are good things!) how do we quieten down and pay attention to God with us – even for a moment? To let us absorb the miracle that is the birth of Jesus.

May your Advent time have the God space so that we are renewed in the hope, peace, joy and love that Jesus' arrival brings us.

Every blessing

Rev Karen