MINISTER’S NOTE 28 NOVEMBER 2021
Today marks the beginning of the Advent season,
the time during which the tension of our faith is
highlighted, as Jesus, Emmanuel (God is with us)
has come, at the same time we are waiting for his
second coming, and we express our deep yearning
for God to come close to us.
Our theme for this year’s Advent season is “Close to
Home”. The Advent and Christmas scriptures are
rich with home metaphors and imagery. Whilst the
word “home” has different meanings for different
people, home intersects with the full range of human
experience. It can be soothing and sacred or
painful and unsettling. It can be invitational and
warm, or it can poke wounds of exclusion and displacement.
It is this tension of comfort and unsettledness
that we navigate in the season of Advent.
During Advent we get a glimpse of a world saturated
with peace, hope, love and joy. We also get a
glimpse of a world where an unmarried teenage
girl could bear God’s son, and a group of outcast
shepherds might be invited to see it.
It is my hope that this Advent we’ll journey together
as we take steps to move closer to the home God
envisions for us, a home saturated with hope,
peace, love, and joy. With God’s help we can get
closer every day. May we be comforted by the
One who dwells intimately with us. May we come
home, wherever home is found, to live fully, with
courage.
Every blessing,
Vuyelwa.