Advent is a time of hope. The birth of Jesus marked the start of us being able to truly understand how to live a good Christian life through Jesus’ teaching and role modelling. He gave us hope about the strength of the Lord and the promise of eternal life.
Being part of a community enjoying the build up to Christmas makes us feel a sense of belonging and gives us hope. The lighting of an advent candle, opening of an advent calendar, the school nativity plays, the lights switch on event and the crib service on Christmas Eve are all advent traditions in our community. They all play important roles in the anticipation and excitement of the build up to something special.
Many of us want to recreate the childhood memories we have of advent for our own children and to pass on traditions and rituals. It is this enduring sense of belonging and wanting to bring others in that gives us hope.
– Jo Moss, Gin Church member