Greetings!
Advent greetings on this beautiful but rather cold and frosty morning!
As the second Sunday of Advent approaches a reminder that the Lambourn Christmas Lights will be switched on as St Michael’s Christmas Market is opened at 5.30pm tomorrow Friday 3rd December – poster attached!
Make it a family occasion and enjoy the festive market – with the usual delicious Lambourn refreshments! All in a covid safe environment – we look forward to welcoming you and yours!
The Nativity Trail will be in Lambourn Churchyard ready to welcome families – it tells the story of the first nativity with Dotty the Donkey to guide you and your children on a self-guided tour. The tour is self-guided and you will need sharp eyes to find some of the signs. There’s something to do at every stop on the journey … from giving yourself a hug to star jumps!
On Sunday at 4pm the first of the Valley Christingle services will take place at St James in Eastbury. All are welcome as we ask God to help us, with Mary and Joseph, the angels and the shepherds to come close to Jesus and to receive his light and love at Christmas.
I have attached the list of all the services for December which, (for your information) is always in the monthly Village Views. Any queries please do give me a ring!
With candles, calendars and school nativities Advent is a time of preparation as we wait in hope for the birth of Jesus. If you would like to host Mary and Joseph for a night or two – they come with a stable, shepherds, sheep and even a donkey then do pop into St Michael’s to sign up.
On each Advent Wednesday @ 7 we are reflecting upon waiting in our own lives looking at Paul Gooder’s book The Meaning is in The Waiting. If you’d like to join in you would be very welcome. We use the zoom code on page 2 of the Pews News attached to this email.
The same link is used for Morning Prayer 8.30 am and Compline 8.30pm – you’d be very welcome to join us in the virtual peace and quiet.
Finally, a poem by R.S. Thomas quoted by Paul Gooder at the beginning of her reflection upon waiting. It may be helpful to light a candle, to read it through and reflect as we wait and prepare for the heart of Christmas – the birth of Jesus.
Kneeling
Moments of great calm,
Kneeling before an altar
Of wood in a stone church
In summer, waiting for the God
To speak; the air a staircase
For silence; the sun’s light
Ringing me, as though I acted
A great rôle. And the audiences
Still; all that close throng
Of spirits waiting, as I,
For the message.
Prompt me, God;
But not yet. When I speak,
Though it be you who speak
Through me, something is lost.
The meaning is in the waiting.
God bless
Julie