NEWSLETTER

My dogs are crazy, it has to be said! The slightest noise outside and they are off, barking madly at something that they are not even really sure of. All they know is that something is there and it might be coming their way. One of my two dogs, Angel (I didn't choose the name), is a rescue and in her early life, she learnt that she had to defend everything she had as, being a street dog, no-one was going to give her anything much. She has retained that territorial instinct and feels it is her duty to protect and defend the borders of our home. My other dog, Junior, just blindly follows her! However, I can rely on both of them to alert me to anyone coming to the Vicarage - friend or foe!

At this time of Advent, we read in our scriptures about being watchful as we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus as a tiny baby. With that watchfulness comes an encouragement to increase our alertness and notice things around us that we might not have seen before. Someone who is more down than usual, an out of character response from someone you know well, a lonely person living just down the road.  How can we bring the love of God into these things we notice.? As well, what do we notice about ourselves at this time of the year? Advent, like Lent, is a penitential time of waiting and reflection. Are we able to use this Advent to work on ourselves a little bit? To sharpen our sense of compassion, maybe? To spend more time with God in prayer and worship? Or to question our own attitudes and responses maybe?

As we watch and wait through this Advent for the promise of God's Son who brings His light into the world, may we also pray and ask God to work on us to mould us into compassionate people who reflect the love of God in every situation.

Every blessing,

Mandy