AS a child, when the Advent calendar appeared it sent excitement through me, when all those windows were opened Father Christmas would be coming down my chimney! The innocence of childhood!

To me an Advent calendar was just the lead up to Christmas and the thought of presents.

It was only much later in life that I understood what the word meant, so what does it mean?

Well according to the Oxford Dictionary it has three meanings, 1. the coming of Christ, 2. the season (with four Sundays) before Christmas Day, 3. the arrival of an important person, event or development.

For Christians, Advent Sunday hails the beginning of the new church calendar, where we are reminded of the importance of waiting and longing.

If we don’t allow the busyness of Christmas celebrations to take over, it can be a time for reflection, for the preparation and anticipation, of something truly awesome, the idea that God is with us here and now and the recognition that God has given us a saviour who will complete his task of restoring an imperfect world.

What are we really waiting for in life?

Life can be a waiting game, we spend a lot of time waiting, waiting for the bus, waiting for that medical diagnosis, waiting for a phone call, waiting for an end to all wars.

It can sometimes be almost unbearable, how then can we use our waiting time wisely?

For me, it is prayer, taking time out from a busy day, sitting, speaking but also listening to God.

Whatever your beliefs or non beliefs, over each continent and island each dawn leads to another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, reminding me that every second of every day someone, somewhere is offering prayer and praise to God.

We can’t have all got it wrong, surely?

We all long for peace on earth, but that peace must start within our own hearts, our own families our own communities. We cannot blame wars on God.

If you have never tried praying or church is alien to you, pop along to the Parish church here in Crediton, seek out the Advent wreath, five candles in a ring, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and one for Christmas Day.

Or visit any local church to sit, pray and wait for God’s peace to enter your heart.

If you are asking God’s help, listen too for that still small voice of calm guiding your thoughts and actions.

Advent is about making ourselves ready to welcome Jesus as Lord and King.

Will you be ready when Jesus returns to earth?

Sandra Collier

Assistant Curate

Crediton Benefice Community