The Minister Writes

We have reached ‘that’ time of year again. It is how I think of the season of autumn, particularly in the Church Calendar; when it seems that there is a succession of meetings, and special events. Harvest Festival, fund raisers, committee meetings, Remembrance Sunday; and before we know it, we have reached Advent.

This year we have had many successful church events, not too many problems and an encouraging number of people attending services and meetings. As Advent approaches, it is a good time to reflect upon the year; thank God for the many blessings we have received and to say thank you to all the people who have worked hard to make things happen at Dalreoch. But as Advent approaches, let us not forget, amongst all the busyness of the Festive Season, what it is we are celebrating. None other than God’s greatest gift to mankind, the Son of God and Saviour of the world.

Advent is a time when we are encouraged to take a journey of faith, by reflecting on God’s Promises, the arrival of the Messiah and the second Coming of the Lord. Because the journey does not end at the stable in Bethlehem, it continues through the Cross and forwards towards the glorious day of our Lord’s return. Psalm 46 verse 10 says: “Be still and know that I am God”. We can sometimes forget to take that moment to be still before God, yet if we did, we would perhaps remember, and be encouraged by the thought that: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

Whatever trials and tribulations, worries and concerns assail us in the coming days; we know that the Light of Christ remains, when all the tinsel and baubles have been put away. It is that hope we hold onto, which sustains and strengthens us until the Promises of God are fulfilled: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command. with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17)

This Advent, as we wait expectantly to remember the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us also rejoice in the promise of his return. As the Church of Christ, may we continue to share the Good News with others, to allow the light of Christ to shine in us; that others may receive the promise of Hope also. Because that is the greatest gift anyone can be given this Christmas.

Wishing you all every blessing for Christmas and the coming year