Vicar's Letter

Revd. Keith Thornborough

Dear Friends,

Advent Sunday this year is on Sunday 1st December, which is also our All-Age Eucharist and Toy and Gift Service. We shall also be dedicating a new Advent Wreath, a thanksgiving gift from Yvonne. It’s going to be a busy service…. It’s going to be a busy time and that’s wonderful, but we also need to make sure that we take the ‘time out’ to pause and reflect, in expectant hope ,and prepare ourselves and our homes for Christ’s birth.

It can be easy to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas with all the hustle and bustle, seeking and searching for perfect presents, this year’s absolute must-haves. It’s not needed. We need to remember that Christmas starts with Christ.

‘Come and worship Christ the new-born King, Come and worship Christ the new-born King’, is the refrain from the carol ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory'

It’s the one where you need to take a deep breath before you start to sing, but it is a good one!

There are many opportunities at St Stephen’s to ‘come and worship’, to take time out and to reflect; over Advent, Christmas and into the New Year, as detailed in this Focus magazine. You are most welcome at all our services.

Let’s remember what we are celebrating…. Christmas starts with Christ!

Peace and Joy!

With every blessing for the New Year!
Keith.

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