Philippians 4:4-7
In this season of Advent, the themes of “joy” and “peace” are continually encountered – on cards, holiday decorations and in music and stories streaming forth from shop displays and from churches. Yet “joy” and peace often seem elusive at this time of year. Loneliness, family tensions, inflated expectations, unexpected crises, grief and national events make them seem just beyond our grasp, except perhaps in the gloss of holiday movie films. The elusiveness of “joy” and “peace” invite us to pause and reflect on what  it is we are seeking when we speak of “joy” and “peace.” Is it an emotional high? A state of perpetual happiness? An absence of conflict? Or do “joy” and “peace” represent hopes that have become little more than a seasonal habit? This weekʼs Philippians text (4:4-7) offers a helpful framework for exploring “joy” and “peace” in relation to the life of faith. The suggestion is that joy and peace are found not so much in the emotions they evoke, as in the attitudes, behaviours and relationships in which they are grounded. To “rejoice in the Lord always” points to a “joy” that is not only enduring, but that sustains us even when we are worn down by life challenges. This requires something more than seasonal cheerfulness. It is a “joy” rooted in an ongoing relationship, built on trust, that is able to negotiate the moments of joylessness  in ways that ultimately work for good. What is critical is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but also our relationship in community. This does not necessarily mean that everyone always agrees or gets along. Rather, it reminds us that each of us has a role to play in creating the supportive relationships that are the foundation of “joy” and a cause for “rejoicing.”

Pastor Darryl

(J Cooper, Christmas Traditions and Customs ) Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world – a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

There are three meanings of ʻcomingʼ that Christians describe in Advent –
• about 2000 years ago when Jesus came into the world as a baby, to live as a man and die for us • Jesus coming into our lives now
• when Jesus comes back to the world as King and Judge No one is really sure when Advent was first celebrated but it dates back to at least 567 when monks were ordered to fast during December, leading up to Christmas.

Some Advent celebrations include:
• Advent carols, including ʻO Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Advent calendars, where little windows are opened each day in December
• In the 19th century, German protestant Christians counted down to Christmas by marking 24 chalk lines on a door and rubbing one off every day
• Advent candles, 4 candles are lit –one each Sunday leading up to Christmas
• The Christ Child candle, which sits at the centre of the Advent wreath and is lit on Christmas Day. The Advent Season is a reminder to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

Pastor Darryl

John 5:21-29
This week marks the end of the church year. The final verses of our text also include an end statement. Jesus said, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out.” It may surprise some to hear that all people will rise from the dead some day. As believing Christians, that shouldnʼt surprise us. But Jesus adds a little extra. “… those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” Everyone, you and me, will be brought back to life for the purpose of standing trial before Jesus. Youʼre good with that? It shouldnʼt be a scary experience because Jesus said that those who had done “good” will rise to enjoy an eternal life of happiness. Wouldnʼt your neighbours and friends describe you as good? I suppose many of us will say that we did good things in our lives, so whatʼs the problem. The bad ones will get what they deserve. Sounds fair. Maybe we should ask what Jesus meant by “good.” His standard for good may be a lot different from ours – just as a parentʼs standard for a clean room is usually much different from a childʼs view. To do good, as Jesus explains it, is to obey Godʼs commands. Of course, we should add here that Jesus expects these commands to be obeyed perfectly, all the time. Perhaps we are not as “good” as we would like to think. God isnʼt trying to scare us with these words; just prepare us. And you are prepared if, thanks to the Holy Spirit, you have put your faith in Jesus. For He has covered all your sins and given you credit for all the good He did. Godʼs gift of grace grasped through faith.

Pastor Darryl

1 Samuel 1:14-20

When reading the Bible we are often confronted with people who suffer. Job, Elijah and David are a few
of the well known names, but at the top of the list would have to be Jesus. From the Garden of Gethsemane, where an agitated Jesus sweats blood and tells his disciples, “I am deeply grieved, even to death…” (Matthew 26:38) to his haunting words on the cross, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus suffers intensely and at many levels – physically, emotionally, psychologically. With a broken body and a deep sense of abandonment, Jesus embodies what suffering is. In our text today, we have a woman, Hannah, who gives voice to suffering. For years she has suffered emotionally and psychologically, and at different levels. Looking into the text it is not difficult to envisage the reality of Hannahʼs suffering in todayʼs context. Her husband Elkanah, and even the priest Eli, donʼt understand what she is feeling. Hannahʼs only comfort, her only recourse, comes through being drawn back into the relationship with God via her outpouring of her anxieties, her sufferings, to God. To have that heart felt discussion with God who has suffered, who knows about suffering and who cares, makes all the difference. For Hannah it was liberating. Perhaps you donʼt think God is listening. Perhaps you may even think – Iʼve heard it all before. Try it. No, not a chat with God. Perhaps it is time to really let Him know how you feel, to put that trust in Jesusʼ promises. Spend a little time alone with God and allow the Holy Spirit to do his work in your life.

Pastor Darryl