There is a story of six people who froze to death around a campfire on a bitterly cold night.
Each had a log of wood they might have contributed to the fire, but for reasons satisfactory to themselves, each person refused to give what they had.
A woman would not give because she said she hated men. A homeless man would not give because there was a rich man in the group.
The rich man would not give because he did not want to warm someone who was obviously shiftless, lazy, and drank.
Another would not give up his log because he recognized someone not of his race or religious faith.
And the fire died, as each person withheld their piece of fuel for reasons justifiable to themselves, and so, they all died.
This story was originally told in a poem that ends with these tragic lines: six logs held fast in death’s still hand were proof of human sin; they did not die from cold without; they died from cold within.
We find ourselves very much deep in the belly of winter. Darkness seems to have descended and nature falls asleep. Yet there is something beautiful in this season, this time when we are called to wait, in the promise “When winter comes, can spring be far behind”
The weeks leading up to Christmas, in the Christian liturgical life are called advent. Advent is a time of preparation when we anticipate with a sense of expectancy and patience the birth of new life and the eternal invitation to begin again.
Advent by its very nature is countercultural. In an instant culture waiting is very challenging in 2025.
The Advent Season is a time to get ready for the approaching feast of Christmas. Liturgically this is a time when we prepare for the joyful celebration of the Lord’s birth at Christmas.
These dark and chilly days can indeed be a challenging time, where often our vulnerable selves can experience a sense of struggle. Yet, where there is darkness there is also a burning light of hope and healing. Advent is a time to be open for the blessings of God’s gifts that will be given abundantly to us this Christmas.
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. This is a real good news story that is a daily reality but often is unrecognised and truly appreciated.
One of the greatest and most powerful gifts available to us all is the gift of Hope. In a time when we can be consumed by the negative, hope is an invitation to constantly embrace the possible. Hope is that gentle presence calling us every day, to begin again. Advent is a Season of hope.
Every year the Christmas season seems to visit us earlier. This is true in terms of decorations and streetlights well visible in all Towns and shops by now. This time of year, is both welcomed and dreaded with the same amounts of childhood enthusiasm and perhaps adult anxiety, excitement, fear and stress.
Christmas is much more than a winter holiday. In a secular world Christmas can become as superficial as Black Friday sales, concluding with heartburn after too much stuffing on Christmas Day!
The Christian story of simplicity and new life can be as life changing in 2025 as it was in an unknown village called Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.
Advent is a time of preparation and indeed a time for all of us to grow in our hope that God wants us to possess in our heart. The Prophet Isaiah foretold “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
Advent is a time for all of us to grow in hope and to avail of the spiritual gifts that are truly greater than any we may long for and may not afford. Advent is the great gift for anyone who has experienced darkness and vulnerability, which in truth is perhaps all who may read this article.
Jesus whose birth we prepare for during this time of Advent is often forgotten in the busy run up to Christmas. Perhaps if we ponder more on Jesus our lives will change for the better in a very real way this Christmas.
Jesus wants to plant his light and hope in the places of our stories that may be darkened and overshadowed by the bruises of life that we all carry and indeed feel at times. Where sickness, addiction, bereavement, separation, depression and anxiety prevail Christ the lord of light, wants to heal and transform.
Just as his birth happened in a place of poverty and humility, so too in this time of winter darkness, the light of Christ wants to shine firstly in the places of pain and uncertainty that are felt in our lives.
The more we long for God, the greater his birth will be in our hearts. The more we are in need of his presence and relevance, the greater the gift of faith and fulfilment. Jesus will bless us in our lives.
Christ’s light is a bright source of love and joy that is freely available for all people. The heart of Christ is firstly open to the places where we may be lost and broken. My prayer is that all of us will grow in a peace and joy this advent that God wants us to enjoy. Ask God with confidence every day to be born again in my heart.
The great prayer of Advent is simply, Maranatha, “Come Lord Jesus”.
Celebrating the Birth of Christ is a wonderful opportunity. There is just abundance and plenty in God’s love for us all. Jesus is the reason for the season. We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.
If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become a vessel of Gods compassion for others.
Advent Prayer by Henri Nouwen
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do
seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people,
walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.
To you we say,
“Come Lord Jesus!”
