General Chat

I am loving this year’s Advent calendar. It’s both informative and entertaining.

Gosh, it’s cold. Brrr.... but the cold brings loveliness with it. I went outside to de-ice the bird bath a while ago and the frost on the plants and the bare branches of the trees looked amazing. I was particularly enthralled by spider’s webs on the fence. I stood looking at them for a short while till I realised my hands were going numb. They were better than any Christmas decorations. It’s a beautiful world we live in :-)

Good morning :-)

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent.

Our Advent calendar for today :

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

We have snow. We don't want snow. Go away snow. Please. :-(

Today's Advent calendar

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


My word, it's cold out there!

Our Advent calendar for today :


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Here is today's Advent calendar - stay warm. <3

hCtCxtps://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Here is today's Advent calendar.

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Here is today's Advent calendar......... :-D


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

Our Advent calendar for today :

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, I'm joining Vera in thanking you for posting the Advent Calendar again.... I've just caught up.

Vera, the eye injection doesn't sound pleasant, but I hope that this procedure will help you just now.

Last Sunday we had the Associate Archdeacon come along to lead our Holy Communion service during our period of interregnum. Our small elderly congregation made Fr Steve feel welcomed.

Sending gentle hugs to those who are struggling x

Good morning :-)

Poor Vera, not a pleasant thing to undertake but, no doubt, necessary. Hope it helps. <3

Today's online Advent calendar - quite apt for this site actually :-D



https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26

Cx :-)

I didn't come online yesterday. I had to have an injection in my eye and couldn't see well, but I was pleased to come on the board just now and see the advent calendar back. You are so good to do it every year Cynthia and I do enjoy looking at it each day..

Good morning :-)

Did I miss yesterday? Apologies! :-)


The Advent calendar for this year - we are now on day 2 :-D


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=tcwb26pctz0sihmm7nf1faj7uiuqvc26


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


“Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.
“An old abbot was fond of saying, ‘The devil is always the most active on the highest feast days.’

“The supreme trick of Old Scratch is to have us so busy decorating, preparing food, practising music and cleaning in preparation for the feast of Christmas that we actually miss the coming of Christ. Hurt feelings, anger, impatience, injured egos—the list of clouds that busyness creates to blind us to the birth can be long, but it is familiar to us all.” Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


During Advent, the theme of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love loom large but, there is another theme too…… Patriarchs, Prophets, John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary.

PATRIARCHS
A patriarch is. the male head of a family or tribal line. a person regarded as the father or founder of an order. In the bible, Abraham, his son Isaac and Isaac’s son Jacob are named as patriarchs.

On Sunday, the first candle was lit, not only for hope but to remember Abraham and Sarah and all the faithful people of long ago. These people listened to God and trusted God. They went on a journey to obey God. We are also on a journey of faith, to know God better.

Lord Jesus Christ, light of the world, be with us on our journey through Advent, that we may know you better.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Advent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Jesus' birth at Christmas. God's prophecies in the Old Testament prepared the way for His promise.

During December, Christians take part in advent as a way to celebrate the promise of the Saviour, Jesus Christ both at birth and looking forward to His return. It is a season where we are advised to ‘be prepared’.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

TODAY IS ADVENT SUNDAY – we are preparing for the arrival of Jesus.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Gospel reading for today:

Matthew 24: 36-44 where we read of being prepared for the Son of Man coming at an unexpected time.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Vera. The old saying of 'A dog in the manger' sprang to mind I must admit!!! :-D :-D


Heading to Advent

Heavenly Father, you sent your messengers to tell of the birth of your Son, that people might believe in him. Open our ears to hear your call, to repent of our sins, and to seek our heavenly inheritance.

May we profess Christ until we stand by his grace before the glory of your majesty; Grant this for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

I am glad your water supply was eventually restored Cynthia. We have just had a note through the door saying that ours will be turned off for several hours on Monday so I think that might be a good day to go shopping. We do take our clean water very much for granted. So many countries don't have our advantages and it is heartbreaking when you hear of small children walking miles each day to fill a container with dirty water.

I am enjoying your Advent theme this week. It is bringing back some memories. We used to have an Advent candle when our children were young. The top of our tree always has a star and I definitely won't be buying a dog with a halo!

Good morning, thankfully, water was restored after 20 hours!


Heading to Advent

When the Christmas tree is decorated, what goes on top? Some like an angel whilst others prefer a star. Both items are rooted in the nativity story with the angels who visited the shepherds to tell them that Jesus had been born and the star which led the Wise Men to where Jesus was. I did find an angel which was a model dog with a halo – not awfully sure where that fits in!

Lord, help us to be aware of the signs which will lead us to you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Off to a good start today - no water (for over 12 hours now) sigh. Then, I think of all those who have no water for months on end. We have so much to be grateful for.


Heading towards Advent

Decorating the Christmas tree can be one of the favourite parts of preparing for the big day. Lots of tinsel and baubles are lovingly placed and hung on the branches.

If we are wanting to bring the real reason for Christmas into view, why not hang some baubles with a distinctly Christian message on them? If we can’t stand for our faith, who will?

Lord, as we decorate our trees may we always remember ‘the reason for the season’. Amen.

Cx :-)