Plenary, 13 Dec 2000
Meeting date: Wednesday, December 13, 2000
Official Report
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Time for Reflection
Good morning. We welcome today to lead our time for reflection Rev Dr Gordon Murray, minister of the Edinburgh and Forth Methodist Circuit.
Rev Dr Gordon Murray (Edinburgh and Forth Methodist Circuit):
In the Christian calendar, we are at present celebrating the time of Advent—a time of waiting for Christmas. It may seem rather odd for people to celebrate a time of waiting. Waiting is usually something that we seek to avoid. It is frustrating and annoying. It seems that the longer the wait, the higher the probability that things will go wrong.
Perhaps the reason why we do not like waiting is that it implies that we are dependent on other people and, for religious people, dependent on God. We are not, as it were, in charge of our destinies. Dependence on other people can be a highly frustrating business. However, Christians celebrate Advent—the time of waiting—because, just like children during the month of December who trust their parents for what will come at Christmas, Christians trust their heavenly parent for the promise of Advent.
What is our expectation of Advent? We read in chapter 1 of St Luke's gospel, verses 50 to 53:
"God's mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm.
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."
That is why we may celebrate Advent. Let us pray.
God of power and purpose, help us so to respect your power and to understand your purpose that we may celebrate Advent and celebrate the coming of the Christ child at Christmas, so that we may receive strength from his weakness and inspiration from his simplicity. In his name we ask it. Amen.