Advent
He comes, He comes.
The Season of Advent for Western Churches begins this Sunday, 2 December. This is a time of waiting and preparation. It is a time of reflection and prayer where we focus on the themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace, a prelude to the Feast of the Nativity on Christmas Day.
I am reminded of the hymn Light one Candle which we sing each week as we light the Advent candles. Each one represents the worship theme for that week; Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. As we progress through this season we have more candles lit each week, more light, as we await the Coming of Christ. The symbolism is simple but the message it conveys is complex, profound and wonderfully transformative.
Hope, Love, Joy and Peace are themes that abound in all our news stories this issue. Working towards ending Human Trafficking and Gender violence; upholding those who advocate for a better world and those working together to recognise and celebrate our differences.
This year the beginning of Advent also coincides with the beginning of Hannukah. The season of light, celebrated and reflected upon in two faiths in tandem.
During this season I would like to encourage the use of the resources made especially for Advent by Act for Peace (AfP) and the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN). The links are listed below.
Advent Bible Study – AfP https://www.ncca.org.au/newsletters/291-christmas-bowl-advent-booklet-2018/file
Advent Reflections – PIEN https://www.ncca.org.au/newsletters/292-pien-advent-resource-2018/file
I also recommend reading Bishop Philip’s reflection that he presented to the recent Regional Consultation on Migration, Human Trafficking in Persons and the Asian Diaspora in Bangkok. https://www.ncca.org.au/ncca-newsletter/november-2018-2/item/1559-ncca-president-s-reflection-2018112
Lastly, I would like to encourage you to check our Thursdays in Black – Towards a world without rape and violence campaign. This re-launched campaign of the WCC, of which the NCCA is proud to be a part, in the push to resist attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. You will find the article here https://www.ncca.org.au/ncca-newsletter/november-2018-2/item/1558-thursdays-in-black-2018112
We work with our members towards a world with Hope, Love Joy and Peace beyond this Advent season....
He comes, He comes
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
“‘In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it[a] will be called:
The LORD Our Righteous Saviour.’
Jeremiah 33:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
Noelene Osora
Executive Assistant to the Interim General Secretary
