Reepham Benefice

Well, Advent is here, and we can’t get away from the sights, sounds and smells reminding us that Christmas is only around the corner. Bing Crosby’s classic Christmas song, White Christmas speaks of the romance surrounding the season that Advent looks forward to, and sums up what is for some the idea of a perfect Christmas, a warm roaring fire, children laughing and looking forward with great expectation, snow laying thick on the ground, and a hope that this, and all our Christmases may be white, and illuminated with the brightness of joy.

Our special prayer this Sunday also talks also of that brightness that is the theme of both advent and Christmas. The prophet Isaiah reminds us what Advent and the build up to Christmas is about, when he says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined,” a reminder that there is more to Advent than simply building up to the season of Christmas. Advent, like Lent is a season of reflection, a time when we are reminded that Jesus will come again, and that we, his followers need to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, so that we will not only understand more fully what Christmas is all about, but also so that when he comes, we will be ready to meet him.