Hey!

Welcome to Moncreiff Parish Church where we hope we shine the light of Christ as winter starts to take a grip again. I mean I do love a cold morning but not scraping the car. And snow when it falls is so pretty but gets old quick! I murmur about missing summer as the rain batters the last of the leaves from the trees. However, I do love this in-between time where we look forward to Christmas but haven’t quite got into the spirit of it yet. It is a season of anticipation pushing us towards the season of advent which is a season of preparation. We prepare to celebrate together the birth of Jesus – Immanuel – God with us.

And truly it is something we need reminding of as we look at the world around us. We might moan about the weather but in our hearts, we are very conscious of the pain and suffering whether through ongoing war, unrest, cost of living crisis or poor leadership. Some of us are preparing to manage expectations of children or wondering how we will pay the bills. And though we might love Christmas we might feel the stress or murmur at its cost.

Over the next few weeks, we will take time to prepare for the coming of Jesus, yes as a baby, but Advent also reminds us that we are counting down to his return. We don’t know when that will be, but it is promised. And we know that God keeps his promises. After all, Immanuel, Jesus, Prince of Peace was promised centuries before that trip to Bethlehem we re-create in nativities up and down the land.  Until he returns though we live, with God’s help, with an outlook shaped by hope, joy, peace and love. Hope-filled people lift spirits into can-do moments. Joy-filled people bring light in dark places. Peace-filled people bring comfort to hurting places. And love-filled people change the world helping stranger and angel alike.

In this season where it is easy to coorie doon and hide from the cold weather and even colder attitudes, let’s burn bright for Christ and with Christ. And as the wise men scanned the heavens for the star of Bethlehem, let us watch for his return, alert to all opportunities to share the Good News that God is with us.

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-2

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: 

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14