Hilton Hospitality and Advent Worship

Back in circulation after returning from my jaunt to the Highland city of Inverness. New friendships, renewed friendships, thinking together with folk as we move into Advent, sensing and exploring the spiritual and pastoral life of another Christian community – all made it a great week-end.

Highlights other than the in-church activities included supporting Ross County as they tried to smite the Raith Rovers Amalekites; the steak pie at half time; an evening meal with friends from way back which included Morag’s chicken, cooked by Iain; Sunday lunch at the manse where hospitality is warm, generous and the home made chocolate sauce sinfully more-ish. I know cos I sinned!

Advent is an important time of waiting – perhaps in a culture which worships instant, we need a place in the practices of our faith where we learn again to wait, to anticipate, and to recognise that while patience is a virtue, impatience can sometimes be an indication of how important whatever we are waiting for is!

So morning by morning, with my advent candle lit, mind and heart and will turn towards the great promises of Isaiah, and I pray for an Isaianic vision of how what is can be renewed, how the status quo is rendered provisional by the God who has seen it all before. And so the light of Christ shines, and the darkness cannot comprehend it. I love the double meaning of that older word – the darkness can neither understand, or engulf, the light of Christ.

Thank you Hilton congregation for having me as your guest – and may Advent draw you into the future where God awaits you, and into which God accompanies you. And by the way, the photo of the Hilton Church, with the cross above the cherry blossom, is a rich symbol which carries with it a sense of the abundant, extravagant fruitfulness of life lived within all the promises and purposes of God. I know it’s a Spring picture – but Advent is about anticipation of light, growth, life and the renewal of creation by the Creator. Just look at the profusion of blossom, like a garland of grace – dead Advent that, so it is!