After Advent: Really?

“Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all of the people” Luke Ch1, 10

Infant holy, infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the babe, is Lord of all.
Swift are winging, angels singing,
Noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story,
Tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
Praises voicing greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.

From the Polish, E M G Reed (1885-1933)

Reflection

For many people, Christmas is now done and dusted… all bar the clearing up! For Christians, however, the Good News of the birth of our Lord and Saviour continues to give joy; a great joy which we are eager to share with others. And what is more, Advent continues for every Christian, regardless of our race, culture and Christmas traditions because we await the return of Jesus.

The Advent messages that have been shared this season have offered us the opportunity to glimpse the developments of some ongoing projects, celebrate noteworthy successes and pray together that we might meet those new needs that now challenge us. Our HHI family has a new togetherness and we have been truly blessed.

May we, just as Mary did, ‘ponder these things’ in our hearts. (Luke 2:19)

A final prayer from Ron

O heavenly Shepherd of Your sheep, we thank You and praise you that we are of Your flock, please help us to ponder on all the things we have been reading about in our Advent reflections to encourage us. Yes they are over for another year in our yearly calendar but not in Your eternal plans or our daily lives. So we wait in eager anticipation for Your return again to this world and until then, please continue to bless the work of HHI which you have placed in our hands as we do it in Your precious name. Amen.