Hope, peace, joy and love
By Reverend Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
The Season of Advent is a time of preparation, expectation and getting ready to come close to the mystery of Christmas. Advent begins on Sunday, 30 November, and each of the Sundays during Advent has a particular focus: hope, peace, joy and love.
The lighting of a candle each week is a tradition in churches that can also be replicated at home. The candles are purple for hope, peace and love, and pink for joy. A white candle in the middle is lit on Christmas Day as a reminder of the light of Christ coming into the world.
Advent calendars – whether chocolate, tea, book, Lego, skin care or prayer – are a popular way to embrace Advent. Adding a Christmas book to the family collection can also become a treasured tradition. Wombat Divine by Mem Fox and Kerry Argent is a long-time favourite of mine. This year, I’m adding A Song for the King by Katrina Nannestad and Freya Blackwood.
The mystery of Christmas is the proclamation that God “shows up” for humanity in an unexpected and glorious way. The majesty of divinity shares fully in our humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is born of Mary, grows up in a family and the Jewish faith, learns a trade and ministers to individuals and to crowds.
In his death, we find the ultimate act of identification with the fate of humanity — a fate that is transformed through the resurrection, the complete vindication of the life that Jesus led as “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
At this time of year, there can be many invitations to show up for different events. I wonder if there is an invitation this Advent to reflect on how we show up for each other and for ourselves. Is there room for simplicity? Is there a chance to say no to some things in order to say yes to others? How can you make room for hope, peace, joy and love in your life?
The Radford Carols service on the third Sunday of Advent — 7 December at 5:00 pm in the Radford College Chapel — is a beautiful and uplifting way to enter the wonder of Christmas through story and song. I hope to see many of you there.
Another invitation to show up is the free Rock for Reconciliation concert this Sunday, 29 November, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, in Commonwealth Park. Senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan has organised the concert and extended an invitation to the Radford community when she delivered the Welcome to Country at the Reconciliation Action Plan launch in October.
An excellent program is on offer with local and national artists, including some musical Radford Collegians, The Amosa Family, as well as stalls, children’s activities, food and culture. All are welcome!