This is the season of Advent when we wait with great expectation for the birth of Jesus. At this time we celebrate the miracle of Incarnation and God’s love for us all, expressed by being with us in human form. Our series this year is called “Peace on Earth” and we will be celebrating the peace and wholeness of life that Christ brings to us. We will be celebrating the incarnation through valuing people more than things, letting go of anxiety that the holidays can often bring and by loving others through simple acts of service. In fact on Sunday, December 11, we will hold an Advent Day of Service with just one brief worship service for all ages at 10AM, and then we’ll all go out to serve on projects in our community. 

Each Sunday during Advent, we will also provide a single page of Advent Reflections for that week. These can be collected from the Information Desk in the church commons. These simple reflections are ideal for families or groups of people and each week include devotional Christmas readings, prayers, lighting of the advent candle and suggestions for service. 

On Christmas Eve we will have one special candle-lit service at 5PM. This will last one hour and will be suitable for all ages, so bring along family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Christ together. At the end of the service there will be Christmas boxes full of edible treats to deliver to people who have to work on Christmas Eve. These boxes will be prepared by our children on Sunday, December 18, and are a simple way for us to share God’s love with others. Think of hospitals, fire stations, police stations, restaurants and stores that you pass on the way home and bring a little of God’s light into someone’s Christmas.

There will be no services on Sunday, December 25, but there will be special Advent Reflections available to help everyone hold a simple service in their own home with family and friends.

May this be a season of love, joy and peace for everyone as we celebrate the magic and mystery of Christmas!

You can find Advent Reflections here.