It’s the first Sunday of Advent, so I’ve turned to my Australian Prayer Book for some advice. Within the pages of the Holy Communion second order readings, I’ve come across this, to be inserted in the time of Advent:

In him the day of our deliverance has dawned. We rejoice that through him you make all things new and we look forward for his coming in power and majesty to judge the world. In your great love you gave him to be made man for us and to share our common life.

A new start. Deliverance. Rejoicing. Hope. Love. Understanding. Who doesn’t want that?

I know the Church isn’t the current flavour of the month (or millennium, thus far) but despite the lies, disappointments, abuse and anything else you’ve experienced or heard of… this is actually what is on offer.

Can I encourage you to read that line again?

A new start. Deliverance. Rejoicing. Hope. Love. Understanding.

And then maybe read it a third, fourth, fifth… time.

This is Christmas. This is Christianity.

Anything you’ve heard to the contrary, take it and bin it. Jesus is coming back one day to do that, but there’s no reason why you can’t do it in the interim.

All the old filth washed away, fresh and clean like a white piece of paper…

Saved out of all your troubles…

Party time in safety and freedom…

Expectation and knowledge that good will come in the future…

To be known and not rejected, but loved and understood…

It reminds me of lyrics in the Tauren Wells song, Known:

I’m fully known and loved by You
You won’t let go no matter what I do
And it’s not one or the other
It’s hard truth and ridiculous grace

It’s not a Christmas song, but it does contain a message that Jesus would want us to hear at Christmas time.

Yours in being known,

Alison