We are now into the season of Advent. During this season Christians expectantly wait for the coming of Jesus as we remember the incarnation, his first coming into the world.
My prayer for myself and for everyone who follows Jesus is that the wonder, majesty and meaning of advent and Christmas will not be lost on us this year, that we will not take it for granted.
For those reading this who do not know Jesus, my prayer and hope is that this year you may come to know that Christmas is about more than festive television adverts, trees, turkey and presents. Christmas is about God coming to the earth incarnate as a man so that he could rescue and redeem you. There is no better gift.
The Queen put this brilliantly last year. In her annual televised broadcast to the nation she challenged everyone in the United Kingdom to make room in their lives "for the love of God, through Christ our Lord". Her challenge and words are for everyone, follower of Jesus or not. I leave you with her words to think about this advent as we celebrate the coming of God into the world...
"Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: 'Fear not', they urged, 'we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 'For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.'
Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love.
In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there's a prayer:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin And enter in. Be born in us today.
It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.
A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to welcome Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to the University of Cambridge. So this morning I went with a delegation from the University of Cambridge to welcome Prince William and Kate to the University on their first official visit to Cambridge since becoming the Duke and Duchess of the city. The event was rather wonderful, complete with delicious canapés and some excellent mulled wine. Seeing William and Katherine 'up close' was quite amazing. When they talk to people they are so focused on the one individual they are talking to, their eyes don't go anywhere else. They asked those they met questions and they seemed genuinely interested in what everyone was doing. These are important lessons for all of us, especially those of us in ministry. Prince William even spoke to my friend Adrian about life in Wales. They were even more fabulous in the flesh than they are in magazines or on the television.
It has been a great couple of years for the royal family. Ellie and I, along with our friends Lee and Rachel, lined the streets of London for Will and Kate's wedding 18 months ago which was another great event. The Queen celebrated her diamond jubilee this year and who could forget her role in the opening ceremony of the Olympic games? In a time of uncertainty in our nation they have provided us with good reasons to celebrate and to be thankful.
As we head into advent, the time Christians look forward forward to the coming of God in Jesus, I pray that we would know that there is a King greater than William, Kate or even our very own dear Queen. Because of King Jesus, and what he achieved through dying on the cross and his resurrection, we can all be part of THE Royal family as adopted children of the living God. Our involvement with his royal family does not just have to be a one off or something that we get to observe occasionally from a distance. Because King Jesus came to earth to give himself for us we can actually be part of his eternal Royal family! How amazing is that?