December 8th

Blue is the Colour

Until fairly recently, I had only associated the colour purple with Advent. Purple has long been associated with repentance, royalty, majesty, kingship and mystery. But blue is now the Advent colour at St. Johns (don't forget these devotions were originally wriiten for St John The Evangelist, Ermine, Lincoln).

Unlike the boldness of purple, blue is more gentle. It’s a reminder that Advent is not Lent; not a season of sorrow rather a season of longing. The blue invites us to be watchful rather than penitent, hopeful rather than heavy hearted. Its calmness offers breathing spaces during a very busy time.

Blue, albeit a deeper blue than the beautiful blue in St. Johns, is also the colour of the dark, night sky and Advent did indeed start in the dark. The sky and its darkness are vast and mysterious as we wait for the light to appear.

In Advent we wait for the light to come to us, full of promise. We are reminded of Mary, who bore both uncertainty and holy anticipation without knowing exactly what the future held for her. We know how her story ends. Nonetheless, like her, we must wait diligently, willingly on God, to know where our story is going.

The blueness can slow us down spiritually, helping us to resist the business of Christmas all around us. Helping us to not be swept away by Christmas glitz, but to dwell intentionally in expectation, where we can bring our longings before God and await his reply. And in doing this, perhaps Advent will afford us a unique opportunity to know that, in God there is always hope and a steady assurance that He is already and always will be working his purpose out.

So tune in to the blue this Advent and wait for God to draw near.
 

'I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. 'May Your word to me be fulfilled' (Luke 1:38).

Think

Blue is the colour of Mary and the colour for Advent according to the medieval ‘Sarum Rite’ .
What colours do you associate with Advent and Christmas and why?

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December 7th

The Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches, symbolizing eternal life and God’s unending love. Its shape has no beginning and no end, reminding us that Christ is Alpha and Omega—the One who was, who is, and who is to come. Four candles stand within the wreath, marking the four weeks of Advent. 

The advent wreath is a symbol of the season, with a candle lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. The final candle in the centre is lit on Christmas Day. 

Each candle represents a theme:
1.Hope. 
The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah's arrival. 

2. Peace.

The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace - He came to

bring people close to God and to each other again.

 
3. Joy.
To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. 

4. Love.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
 

The fifth candle represents LIGHT and purity and is called Christ’s Candle.

It is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day. This candle

is white to represent pure light and victory and proclaims Christ as the Light of the World.

As we light them week by week, the growing light pushes back the darkness

The light of the flickering candle flames reminds us who Jesus is and echoing John’s Gospel:
" In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5).

Advent candles shine brightly in the midst of the darkness, symbolising and reminding us that
Jesus came as Light into our dark world. 

The wreath teaches us that waiting is active. Each flame is a sign of progress, a visible reminder that God’s promises are unfolding. In a world that often feels shadowed by uncertainty, the Advent wreath calls us to trust that light is coming— and that we are called to bear that light for others.

Think
Which candle’s theme—Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love—do you most need to embrace this Advent?
How can the growing light of the wreath inspire you to bring light into someone else’s darkness?
What does the circle of the wreath teach you about God’s eternal presence in your life.

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Collect for 2nd Sunday in Advent

Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when Your son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive Him who is our Lord and our God. Amen. 

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/common-material/collects-and-post-19

December 6th

Hark The Hearld Angels Sing

The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people' (Luke 2:10)

“Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King; peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. ”
This carol, written by Charles Wesley in 1739, is one of the most triumphant hymns of Christmas. It begins with a command: Hark!—listen, pay attention, don’t miss what is happening. The angels are not whispering; they are proclaiming with joy that heaven and earth are forever changed. The heart of the hymn is reconciliation: God and humanity brought together through the birth of Jesus. The angels announce peace, mercy, and glory, not only as ideas but as realities embodied in the child lying in the manger. Every verse of the carol builds on this theme, reminding us that Christ’s coming is truly cosmic in scope—He is the “Sun of Righteousness” who brings healing, light, and eternal life. 

Think

What voices do you need to “hark” to this Advent?
Where do you see reconciliation at work in your life or community?
How can you join the angels’ chorus by proclaiming peace and mercy in your own words and actions?

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For special events on today click on Festive Christmas Market

December 5th

The Light of The World

Holman Hunt, the English pre-Raphaelite artist, painted “The Light of The World”. Jesus Christ is depicted preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door. This work is an allegory – a piece of visual art based upon scripture :

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me"(Revelation 3:20).

How does Hunt depict this? 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock” - the door is closed and overgrown, which symbolises the human heart or soul that has become neglected to spiritual renewal.

“If any man hear My voice” – the door has no exterior handle, showing it must be opened from within, reflecting that faith and acceptance are voluntary.

“I will come in to him, and will sup with him” – Christ holds a lantern, radiating warm light. This represents the light he brings to a darkened world; that his illumination will guide who choose to follow him.

‘And he with Me - this light contrasts with the darkness around the door, signifying the spiritual awakening Christ brings to our living hearts.

Notice the overgrown vegetation and rusted ironmongery – this reinforces long spiritual neglect, that hearts and souls have been closed-off for years.

His crown and robe signify the duality of King and High Priest. As King, his crown depicts victory against darkness. His intricately detailed and luminous garments evoke priestly garments, making clear his mediating role between humanity and God. He comes in both majesty (king of kings) and mercy (high-priest), ready to reign in the hearts of those who open the door.  

How can you lift your heart up to receive Christ’s light?
How can you be a living witness to Christ’s light in your actions?
Do you know of people, presently in the darkness?
How can you reflect the light of Christ to them? 

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For special services on today click on Advent And Christmas Services. 

 

 

December 4th

The Holly and the Ivy

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The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14).

This carol sings of Christ’s birth through winter’s symbols: holly with its sharp leaves and red berries, ivy with its evergreen strength. These humble plants remind us of sacrifice and eternal life. The carol has the words "the playing of the merry organ" that lifts these images into worship. The organ, breathing wind into pipes, becomes the Spirit’s herald. Its music is not mere festivity—it is proclamation. Each phrase declares: the Child is coming, the Light will dawn, the Word will be made flesh.  

As holly and ivy cling through frost, so faith clings through waiting. As the organ resounds in joy, so the Church resounds in expectation. Advent is not only preparation— it is praise in advance, a melody of hope before the manger is revealed. So let the merry organ play, and let the holly and the ivy remind us: Christ is near, and His song of salvation will soon be sung in full.

Think

In what ways can you, like holly and ivy enduring through frost, cling to faith and hope during Advent’s darkness?
As the merry organ proclaims joy before the manger, how might our own voices and actions become a melody of expectation, preparing the way for Christ’s coming?

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December 3rd

The Gift of Peace

In the gentle hush of Advent,
Peace descends like a dove.
A gift wrapped not in paper,
But in unconditional love.
It’s not found in bustling stores,
Or beneath a twinkling tree,
But in the quiet moments,
When our hearts are still and free.

In Advent our hearts are guided along our spiritual journey as we prepare for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This poem tells us that our gift of Jesus is not wrapped in paper, found in a store or wrapped as a gift under a tree but in our hearts. The birth of every baby is a wonderful miracle of life, but the birth of Jesus is the miracle of new life for everyone.

In the Christmas story the angels appear to the shepherds in the field and say ‘Peace be with you.’ We are able to have the fullness of peace in our hearts on Christmas Day and every day. In Advent we pray for peace as our minds are focused on God’s love.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

Think

It’s quite difficult to find peace in the run up to Christmas. 
Take some time today to make room for Christ.

Where did you notice Jesus with you?

Have you been looking in the right places?

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December 2nd

NATIVITY

This Christmas will be different: the angels got the sack.
A choir of heavenly llamas sing, conducted by a yak.
Here come the three wise penguins, riding camels. (Well, why not? We can’t go changing everything to fill the festive slot!)
The shepherds on the hillside are looking after cats. The sky is filled with magic from supersonic bats.
But hidden in a stable three people never change: Joseph, Mary, Jesus, whose absence would be strange.
Some things in life may alter, but some things stay the same. May God be praised for Christmas and Jesu’s holy name.

© Celia Warren 2024.

 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:6-7). 

Think

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without... What makes Christmas for you?

What do you believe the meaning of Christmas is as a Christian

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December 1st 

If you believe in hope, all things are possible. 

We pray for peace for all people around the world at this time of year.

Joy to the world! May happy times be for all.

Let us love the Lord just as He loves us.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace forbearnce, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control"
(Galatians 5:22-23).

Think

Spend time today thinking about what you are praying for this Advent season.
It might be helpful to think about one thing to focus on with hope.
Advent is a time of waiting and watching.
Waiting can be uncomfortable and uncertain. Where can you find peace in the time of waiting?
Jesus loves us enough to live with us and share out human life.
Who do we notice in need of solidarity as we get ready for Christmas?
How can we share the message of hope, peace, joy and love with them?

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