Sermons, burning wreaths, insurance and Sicily to come .....

 One Christmas when I was at the Cathedral in Bradford I was asked at the last minute to conduct the Insurance Societies Carol Service.

As I entered the Cathedral someone said how much they were looking forward to my sermon. I wasn't expecting to preach! Normally there isn't a sermon at the nine lessons and carols. I checked the service sheet, I had eight lessons to prepare my sermon.

During the sixth lesson the Advent wreath somehow managed to set itself on fire! The verger stepped forward, bowed solemnly and removed the flaming wreath. I had my sermon, perfect for the Insurance Society!

Now, as winter approaches I look forward to swapping the lights of Consett for the lights of Taormina in January but before then, as winter begins to curl its icy fingers around the Spinney and the wildlife prepares itself for hibernation we begin to lay fires again burning the spare timber that we have harvested from fallen trees, gathering conkers as we do so.

The beginnings of the Chapel can be seen more clearly now that the undergrowth has fallen back and it is possible to look forward to the possibilities of morning prayer in the spring rising with the birdsong and breeze in the newly leafed trees.

But before then we have to hunker down for the winter.

Climate change with its promise of warming temperatures in the North may or may not be experienced quite so balmily. In fact wilder, wetter, windier weather is the more likely outcome as the seas rise and the ice caps melt.

Living as we do on the Snows Edge prepares us for the possibilities of sharper, colder winters but last year they failed to materialise and whilst the T Shirts of Taormina need a few extra layers the winter was manageable, we were not snowed in and there was a heatwave at Easter when the Easter Eggs for the egg hunt melted in unseasonal sun.

But now as the world has turned and we begin to look forward so we focus on the words and prayers and music of Advent:

On Advent Sunday we light a first candle to remind us of Abraham Father of many Nations and our father in faith as he is father of both Muslims and Jews.

 God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, you are God of the whole universe and we can call you 'Father'. You have revealed their hope of the Messiah to us in Jesus Christ: Son of God, son of David and son of Mary. Help us to prepare ourselves to celebrate his birth and to follow him faithfully every day of our lives until we each our home in heaven. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the hope for the world.

On the second Sunday of Advent we think of the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus on that first Christmas.

God our Father, you spoke through the prophets to foretell the birth of the Prince of Peace and spread the news of the coming of his kingdom. Help us, as we prepare to celebrate his birth, to share with all who we meet the good news of your love and power. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the light for the world.

 On the third Sunday of Advent the candle reminds of John the Baptist who prepares the way of Jesus and who announce the birth of a saviour.

God our Father, your servants Zechariah and Elizabeth rejoiced at the birth of their son, John. He prepared people for the way of the Lord and baptised them in the river Jordan to wash away their sins.
Help us, who have been baptised in Christ, to welcome him joyfully into our hearts and to grow strong in faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who brought joy to the world.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent we think of Mary the mother of Jesus and as we do so we think also of our own Mothers and give thanks for their love and support. 

God our father, the angel Gabriel told your servant Mary that she was to be the mother of your Son. Though she was afraid, she responded 'Yes' to your call. Help us, who you have called to be your disciples, to recognise your voice, trust you and willingly respond, 'Yes' to your will for us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and the Prince of Peace.
The fifth and last candle lit as Advent gives way to Christmas reminds us of the light of Christ shared at our baptism, the light in which we are called to live as Christians.

God our Father, today we greet the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with joy. Help us to live in his light and to share the good news of your love to the whole world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour, the Word made flesh, who lived among us.

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