Noel!

Yesterday our church took part in the local lantern festival, which is a Christmassy but not necessarily religious event.

Here are our lanterns, spelling the word NOEL.The 'O' is in the shape of a Christingle.

 Here are other lanterns, made by other community groups and individuals.

St Nicolas

Today is the 6th December, the feast of St Nicolas.
When I grew up in Germany, this was the day when we children cleaned our boots really well and left them outside the door ... to find them filled with sweets and nuts in the morning.

Read about celebrating Sankt Nikolaus in Germany here.

Each year on December 6, Germans remember the death of Nicholas of Myra (now the Anatolia region of modern Turkey), who died on that day in 346. He was a Greek Christian bishop known for miracles and giving gifts secretly, and is now the patron saint of little children, sailors, merchants and students. 

Find out more about St Nicolas, the Bishop of Myra here on the i-church website.

Wes' Advent Reflections

Yesterday marked the beginning of Advent, the time when Christians prepare for the coming of Jesus - remembering the story of his birth, but also being reminded that according to the Bible Jesus will come again.

I am looking forward to the Advent reflections by Wes Magruder, the Methodist pastor from the First Rowlett United Methodist Church in Rowlett in Texas who joined his Muslim friends during and reflected on Ramadan this year.

You can find his first Advent post here.

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry of lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching."

 Isaiah 42:1-4

May we all enjoy the journey!

Advent Wreath

Hedgewitch's post (Earth and Tree: Evergreen) prompted me to write about our Advent wreath.
Every year I make a wreath to hang from our door.

Going out in the middle of winter to find greenery and berries is just a great reminder that life does not stop - not even in the darkest, coldest time of year.
It reminds me that life and light and warmth will return!

I guess that's a good Christmas message too:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

(John 1:5)

I am not sure what all the plants in this year's wreath are called, but I know that there is ivy (leaves and berries), holly, Clematis vitalba (also called Old Man's Beard), cypress and hawthorn.

Jesse Tree

As part of my Advent preparation I came across this Jesse Tree - something like a Biblical Advent calendar, which sets us on a journey through the Bible until we arrive at the birth of Christ.

Jesse Tree

Click on each new symbol each day to follow the journey ...

Advent

This year I have thought hard about the time of Advent and it's purpose.
It is meant to be a time of preparation for the festival which remembers the birth of Jesus ... but also a time of reflection and preparation for the second coming of Christ. Are we ready in our hearts for either??

Does preparation mean stocking up food, buying presents, getting stressed out over money, decorating the house and attending the office party?

Every year it seems to take me a bit longer to get "into the Christmas Spirit". Perhaps that it because I am looking for the wrong kind of spirit?

This year I have decided that before a feast should come a fast - a fast from the distractions which prevent me from REALLY getting prepared.

So I am abstaining from sweets and luxury foods - may it help me to become hungry for what really matters.
I am abstaining from Facebook and other time-wasting Internet activities - may it help me to focus on the things which nurture my soul.

This year I am spending more time in daily Bible reading and prayer and with my family.

Not a single Christmas present is bought yet, no Christmas food or chocolates stashed away, no decorations put up, no cards written - but I like to think I am getting ready for Christmas!