PAULSGROVE BAPTIST  CHURCH

ADVENT 2018 - "Homeless to bring us home"

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Advent is the time when the church prepares for Christmas. It is a time when we remember the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and look forward to his return. Advent is also a time for us to reflect. To think about the direction and focus of our lives.

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Over the centuries and especially since the Victorian times Christmas has lost touch with the real-life experiences of the people involved. Rather than it being a time of comfort and family gatherings it was a time of hardship and separation from family and home.

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This series began with a Radio 4 Thought for Today broadcast by the Rev Sam Wells a few days before Christmas 2017. Following a news item on homelessness he highlighted how much homelessness there is in the Christmas Story. Mary and Joseph (No rooms free in Bethlehem), The Magi (Weeks on the road following a star), The Shepherds (Working on the hills away from home), Jesus (Who left his Heavenly home).

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We will remember why people risked so much to be a part of God’s story. We will reflect on our willingness to be people of faith today. We will remember we are not home yet. There is a heavenly home where we will find eternal comfort, peace and unbroken relationships with God and one another.

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As a church family we face a crossroads in the life of the church as Dave takes over the leadership. God calls us to be people of faith, and faith involves a willingness to walk through discomfort with our eyes fixed firmly on the future comfort we will enjoy eternally. Advent is a great opportunity to remember those who walked by faith, a great opportunity to reflect on our own walk of faith and to re-affirm our commitment to walk in step with the Holy Spirit, bringing Glory to the One the angels proclaimed that First Christmas.​