Tag: Advent

What’s in a name? Names matter. They carry identity, promise, memory, and hope. A name can tell you where someone belongs, who they are, and sometimes even what is expected of them.

In prepping for what comes next, a particular scenario is imagined that can be planned for. A predictable crisis that they can solve with enough supplies. But the real world rarely behaves that neatly…

We are pointed to Advent truth: that Christ comes suddenly, tenderly but disruptively – spraying God’s graffiti of hope across the walls of our lives.

Our December 2025 Bible readings include prophecies from Isaiah, repentance from the Baptist, instructions from angels, poetry from John – and the killing of innocents.

Welcome, hospitality, acceptance isn’t compromise – it stretches our own horizons. It brings its own reward. It allows you and me to hold and provide sanctuary for the weary, the frightened and those dusty from travel.

If you think about the words of the Advent Carol, ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’, we’re asked to rejoice whilst Israel is mourning in lonely exile; to rejoice whilst in the gloomy clouds of night; to rejoice whilst in death’s dark shadow. These are tough things to ask.

Rather than a sudden burning-bush-type-moment, it appears that the word of God comes to John as a slow-burn over a number of years until he was ready to share it.

These Gospel texts tell us of preparation, repentance and doing the right thing – before we get to the Christmas narratives.

We’re all meant to be mothers of God. What good’s it to me if this eternal birth of the Son takes place unceasingly but doesn’t within myself

We’d love to see you at our Advent & Christmas activities and services this year at St John with St Mark’s, Bury and Christ Church, Walmersley. 

God asks us not to count the rings of the dead wood of the past – but to look for small signs of growth, the green seedlings of the future.

We’re in Advent – and each Sunday has a reading from Isaiah. Isaiah is a visual prophet. He thinks in pictures. He uses his imagination.

We’d love to see you over Advent & Christmas at St John with St Mark’s, Bury and Christ Church, Walmersley. So, here’s a list of what’s on…

The young man eventually did gain nobility. Judi discovered that her family tree included someone who had lived in the real Elsinore Castle.

Our Sunday evening worship service will be at 7pm on November 28th, 2021 – the start of Advent. The theme is: ‘Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus’.