Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,
I was born in Holland in the fair city of The Hague and the time before Christmas
was always classified as " the dark days before Christmas" However Christmas lights
and Christmas trees in streets and on squares all lit up at night , worked towards
turning this darkness into light. The season of Advent, especially in the Northern
Hemisphere was such a beautiful time - you really felt that Jesus was coming and
Christmas celebrations were not too far away. Here in the scorching heat of Bendigo,
Australia , even after all these years away from Holland , I till find it difficult
to get the same feeling as then in Holland. I know I know it is nostelgia.
In Advent I get great comfort from the fact that we are focussing on a journey
from darkness into light. No we dont have dark days before Christmas here, but like
everywhere else we are surrounded by the darkness of sin and sorrow. The hymn
says it so beautifully " from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest
in Thee.
So Advent is in fact having that inner peace of knowing that Jesus is coming again
and when He does, He will make everything new. Let us in this busy world try
to take time off and just sit in Church in front of the Blessed Sacrament and
focus on the Light of Christ.
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine own sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
By Thine own sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
Songwriters
WESLEY, CHARLES
A Holy Advent,
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo Australia
