THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER:
REMEMBRANCE
REDUCED DAYLIGHT
BONFIRES AND FIREWORKS
CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS
PREPARATION
ADVENT
WAITING
LIGHT
HOPE

The month of November is a mix between the end of Autumn and the beginning of the winter months. It is a time of remembrance, beginning with ’All Saints’ Day on November 1st and then Remembrance or Armistice Day on November 11th. Memories both corporate and individual of loved ones, as we think about issues of war, peace and loss.

November is also a time for Bonfires and fireworks and a time to think about gathering the ingredients to make Christmas puddings or a Christmas cake - if they are to our taste.

The annual cycle of the Church's year ends with the Feast of Christ the King on November 22nd, the sovereignty of Jesus becoming clear, not as a ruling Monarch but as a King ruling our hearts and lives.

As we start the liturgical year again, we look forward to the first Sunday of Advent on the 29th, a time of waiting and hope.

Sadly, many of the usual events may not happen this year but thank God that the season of Advent cannot be cancelled, it remains the time of hope, joy, love and peace.

Whatever happens, we have the certainty of a God that loves us enough to send His son Jesus to be among us and our hope is in him as we wait and watch for his coming.

We have hope, we can know peace, because Jesus brings peace to all who trust him. At this time, we prepare our hearts to receive his peace.

We hope, we have peace, we can know joy. Jesus brings us joy as we live out our lives as his children and his disciples.

We hope, we know peace, we know joy, we know love.

God’s gift of love to us in the form of Jesus, Emmanuel, light of the world. We trust in him and prepare our hearts to receive his love.

Through these difficult and uncertain months ahead, keep hoping, stay peaceful, remain joyful and may we know the love of God in our hearts always.

Blessings

Judith