Are you counting the days to Christmas? Have you opened the first windows of your Advent Calendar? The word 'Advent' comes from the Latin 'adventus', which means 'arrival' or 'coming' so in the Church, we are preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We have no flowers during Advent - only the Advent wreathwith its five candles - the first being lit last Sunday and then one more each Sunday until Christmas Day.
- The candle of Hope so prayers on this day focus on hope.
- This candle is a symbol of God's Peace, reminding Christians of the Prophets who said that the Messiah would be born.
- The candle of Love, represents John the Baptist who baptised Jesus.
- The candle of Joy reminds Christians of Jesus' mother, Mary.
- The fifth candle reminds Christians of the birth of Jesus.
The fifth
candle is lit on Christmas Day when we can really celebrate the birth of
Christ. There will be services at different times, in all our churches on that
day – look out for the posters around the villages. If you haven’t been to our
churches before – or would just like to start your Christmas day in a different
way; St Mary’s at Winterborne Stickland will be having a Christmas Celebration
service that day. It will be without Holy Communion – this will be available
just down the road at St Nicholas' Church, Clenston, St Andrew's Houton, St
Mary's, Turnworth and St James Milton Abbas. In Winterborne Stickland we will
have a family friendly service and let’s hope we raise the roof with our
singing and make it a truly joyful start to the day.
Alan
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