Within the busyness of preparation for Christmas, preparation for the celebration of the arrival of our King, Advent is a time for reflection, to look back to the time when Jesus came as a baby and lived a human life, and to look forward to when He will come again. We are living in a time between these two events, when we know the love of Christ in our lives and can see His Kingdom at work around us and within us, but when we also know that the fullness of the Kingdom has not yet come. We are living in the God-season right now, a time of celebration and a time of preparation, actively waiting for the change in the weather to come.
Luke 12: 54 - 56 (MSG)
54-56 Then he turned to the crowd: “When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, ‘Storm’s coming’—and you’re right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, ‘This’ll be a hot one’—and you’re right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season, the God-season we’re in right now.
When we head out of the house in the morning we often check our weather apps to see if we need a rain coat or a wooly hat to be prepared for day. But how do we know how to be prepared for when Jesus comes?
Mark 8: 31 - 33 (NIRV)
31 Jesus then began to teach his disciples. He taught them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He taught them that the elders would not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law would not accept him either. He must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke clearly about this. Peter took Jesus to one side and began to scold him.
33 Jesus turned and looked at his disciples. He scolded Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You are not thinking about the things God cares about. Instead, you are thinking only about the things humans care about.”
So often we are like Peter, seeing things from our point of view not God's point of view, but when we put Him at the centre of our lives we can be ready, when we use the skills and talents He has given us to help build His Kingdom, we can be ready. When we see changes around us, when we open our eyes and see the Kingdom at work in our communities we can be ready.
The Christmas Hampers for our Ely and District CAP clients are all ready to go! A big thank you to everyone who has helped put these together to help bring the love and light of Christmas to our clients. Christmas can be a hard time of year for those struggling with debt, with many feeling they have to provide a 'normal' Christmas for their family, adding to already stretched finances, or others who are estranged from their families or feel alone and isolated with little to celebrate at Christmas. We hope that the Christmas Hampers help bring a little of the true meaning of Christmas to our clients, that it is about the love and joy of Christ come into the world, something that we can all celebrate and share whatever our circumstances.
The CAP Christmas Lunch on Wednesday was also a lovely way to share fellowship together with befrienders and supporters and fantastic to have so many clients come along as well. Another big thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.
Prayer
Please give thanks for the Christmas hampers, that they will be a blessing to our clients this Christmas.
Pray for all those struggling with the busyness of Christmas, that this Advent, they would find a breathing space to pause and recognise the love of Jesus that enfolds them and surrounds them, not just for one day a year but throughout the journey of life.
Please pray especially for new clients now booking in for first appointments in January, pray for them as they wait for the help that this first step can bring.
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