1st Sunday in Advent - The time of now and not yet

This week we welcome Pastor Allan Taruste, who is visiting St Paul’s. Pastor Allan will speak on ‘Advent- the time of now and not yet.’ Our gospel reading Matthew 3:1-12 this week tells of John the Baptist calling the people of Israel to repent and be prepared for the coming of the Lord. In the Bible ‘repent’ means to ‘turn back’. As we begin this Advent season, may we turn back from the distractions that so readily occupy our minds- especially as the festive season approaches. When you feel yourself drawn towards buying that ‘one last gift’, pause and thank God for the gift of his Son. When you feel anxious that you may not be ready for visitors, pause and let your heart rest in Jesus love, which casts out fear; and when you hurry to tidy your house before those visitors arrive, take a moment to consider that the Lord of All came to this world in a messy stable. Jesus is indeed the ‘reason for the season’. Amen.