Sunday, 20th December 2009

Dear Friends,                                                                                             

 

A special welcome to all visitors today.  Welcome especially to Rev. Denis M Crystal.  Thank you so much for being with us.  May God give you words to draw us closer into God’s holiness. 

 

 

Four weeks ago on the first Sunday of Advent—we were urged to be urgent in our preparations for the coming of Jesus. 

 

From the Gospel of Luke we were told to “be on our guard” and “to be alert at all times praying…”  (Luke 21:34f).   Well now time really is drawing close and I hope that in these few days before Christmas—days that sadly are too often characterized by a frantic busyness—will be spent prayerfully alert.   

 

On that first Sunday of Advent we also read from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.  Paul’s prayer is for us at this time.

 

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.  And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.  (1 Thess. 3:12-13).

 

To pray this prayer is what real Christmas preparation is all about.  Alan