The Revd Alastair McCollum. Picture by Terry Ife ref mhv 8783-09-11TI

Advent

Rev Alastair McCollum, Rural Deam Tuesday, December 4, 2012
10:48 AM

A unique time to deliberately slow down.

Last Sunday was Advent Sunday. This means it is the start of the preparations for Christmas, a time of waiting built into the church’s year.

The purpose of Advent, like Lent, is to take time to think and to pray in preparation for a important event, in this case Christmas.

We recognise that the celebration of God coming to be one of us is so special it is worth taking care over and not rushing into.

In today’s world, of things happening in an instant, of getting what we want when we want it (often on credit), of communications which take a moment, of everything happening now, it is quite a radical thing to deliberately slow down.

To put off celebrating Christmas until it is actually Christmas, to recognise that it is a unique time and to make space for God to speak to us makes it even more special.