Dear Friends

It is so good to be back after that long period of illness. Can I thank you all for the cards, the e-mails, the phone calls, the visits, the flowers, the cakes, the presents and your prayers during my absence. I received great comfort from it all. As you may be aware I have just returned to the Parish and I’m taking things slowly. I will be catching up over the coming weeks with those people who have been ill or bereaved during my absence, so please be patient. I return to an exciting period in our church calendar, Advent and the upcoming Christmas season .

Advent, as you know, is a period of great anticipatory joy – it is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s arrival in Bethlehem as a helpless infant. Advent begins four Sundays prior to December 25th on Sunday November 30th which is St Andrew’s Day.

The four weeks in Advent are often thought of as symbolizing the four different ways that Christ comes into the world

• At his birth as a helpless infant in Bethlehem

• At his arrival in the hearts of believers

• At his death

• At his arrival in judgement day

These themes are often reflected in our daily readings through the Advent season.

This year I thought that we as church community could take up the Advent Reading Challenge (See page 10). The reason I suggest this is that at this busy time of the year with Christmas fast approaching our spiritual journey is often put to the side. This year I thought I would include bible readings as part of our own preparations for the arrival of God’s son. I’m hoping that you will set aside a short time each day during Advent and the Christmas season to let Christ’s light shine, in a season that is so busy that the real meaning often gets lost in a maze of distractions.

You will find each week begins with a prayer that can be said before reading the passage and also an Advent action that gives you some thoughts to contemplate. Try and set aside a quiet time during the day, relax in the presence of God and hear his words speak to you this coming Advent. I do pray that you will consider this challenge as it will be rewarding in your own Christmas preparations

So may I take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the manse family to wish you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas and may you find Christ’s light in your festive activities.!

God bless!

Fiona

Reverend Fiona McKibbin