Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that is all about waiting. Hurry up and wait – for Christmas. For those who live with little children you will be familiar with the sense of impatience as the advertisements remind us of how little time is left until this special day.
Advent is also a time in which we are encouraged to think about angels. Not just because they feature in the Christmas story several times, but because we often don’t recognize them around us.
Do angels need wings? Do they have to drift around in white nighties? Do they have to appear inconveniently out of nowhere at inopportune times? Are they always angelic, even?
In my experience none of these things need to be true when in the presence of angels.
Modern day angels do have a habit of turning up just when you need someone. They seem to know more about you than you may have wanted them to – but that usually works out for the best. Typically, they are the sort of people who you may have overlooked before. Very few are angelic – just saying.
But there is something about them that makes an impression on you that lasts.
Once I needed to fly from Geneva to Wellington in a hurry. My father was in hospital and not expected to leave it. I had two babies at the time. My tickets had been purchased in haste and it was a non-stop fare (excluding fuel stops in Singapore and Sydney). It was a tense time. Once the three of us were settled into our two seats at the back of the plane, an air hostess approached me. She smiled and took my youngest in her arms. For the rest of that leg of the long-haul flight, I was in the presence of an angel in a uniform. I will never forget her.
St Andrew’s will be celebrating the start of Advent with a Carol Service on Sunday 7 December at 6pm. All are welcome. You never know, you just might meet an angel.
On behalf of the St Andrew’s congregation, I wish the readers of The Martinborough Star a very joyful Christmas season.
SERVICE TIMES FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
Sunday 7 December 6 pm Advent Carol Service
Christmas Eve 24 December 6pm Family Christmas Service designed with children (and angels) in mind
Christmas Day 25 December 10am Christmas Service for All – angelic or not!
