Dear Friends,
This Sunday is a special day for many reasons, and I am delighted to welcome to Holy Trinity our friends from Boarhills and Dunino, together with friends from the Howe of Fife and St David’s High Kirk Dundee. You are all most welcome, as are those of you who are joining us on YouTube and Facebook and in print. It was while I was minister of Howe of Fife that I first organised an Advent Carol Service and it became very much an important part of this time of preparation for Christmas ever since for me. I am grateful to our choir and to Walter for the music they will contribute to this service, as well as to our readers for their contributions.
Advent is a time to look forward to Christmas and a time to reflect on the reason for the season. We believe that this is a time to prepare our hearts and minds to receive Christ once again in the festivities of Christmas, as well as to contemplate the second coming of Christ, whenever that might be. In its original form it was a time of strict fasting before the excesses of the Christmas season. Now we think we have done well if we only consume one chocolate a day from our Advent Calendar!
Certainly, this is a very busy time for most people, whether they are involved in the commercial hype of Christmas, or simply in the pressure of writing of cards and the preparation of food for the feast. The result is that many people become stressed by all that they try to do. And this year, like last, is blighted by the pandemic, as well as by a new strain of Covid, and by all that this might mean for the celebrations, and for our future freedoms. So, can I suggest that we all take a step back, and take time out to be at peace, and to think about the real reason for the season. Just five minutes of peace and meditation and prayer in every day will make a real difference and enable all of us to cope.
There are many Christmas services on offer in our parishes and I would invite you to join us for any or all of them as you are able, either in person or remotely. Details can be found in our magazine or on our website and Facebook, as well as in the local papers.
For those who are with us in person, there will be light refreshments in the Hunter and Memorial Aisle after the service and I hope you will stay if you can.
With love and blessings,
Marion
Categories: Minister's Blog