Minister’s Note, First Sunday in Advent.
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way” (1 Co 1:4–5).
We seem to have adopted “Black Friday” from America. I think we would be richer, though, if we paid more attention to how our American brothers and sisters spent Thursday[1]! They celebrated “Thanksgiving”.
Practising gratitude is especially important in difficult times. As Theologian Miroslav Volf tweeted: “We need gratitude most when it’s hardest to practice: in times of trouble. The root of gratitude? The belief that, given the reality of God, goodness is more basic than any trouble we [or the] world may be in. So we look for the good in us and around us—and rejoice in God and everything good.”[2]
The season of Advent is a good time to grow in gratitude. I encourage you to follow an “Advent” devotion at home[3]. Using an Advent wreath and candles is especially fun with children. Each evening, when you light the candle, name something for which you are grateful. For truly, in Jesus, we have been enriched in every way!
God bless,
Sean
[1] None of those puns intended
[2] https://twitter.com/MiroslavVolf/status/1332023651542073344?s=20
[3] I recommend Trevor Hudson’s “Pauses in Advent” (around R88 in Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/y4cvtuom)