Candles are alight in our living room this Sunday evening and the first one to have been lit was the Advent Candle. Next to this I've placed a card from the local church that we received today. The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the church year in the Western Christian calendar and the season of Advent is an opportunity to stop and think about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, to receive once again the hope that this brings as we prepare for celebrating his birth. Every year I've appreciated these weeks of quiet reflection before Christmas and will do so even more this year. My recent goal was to get well so that I could travel to Italy and to be able to get out-and-about locally here in the UK once more. It was good to be able to go to a church service today and to feel physically part of the church community. Over the last few months I've also known the prayer support and thoughtfulness of others. Of course, that includes you, my friends. Thank you so much.
Wishing you a holy, Jesus-ful Advent. Hoping you'll be feeling better every day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jody.
DeleteYou remind me I need to visit a few churches to ge some photos of the advent scandles in them
ReplyDeleteI trust that you'll have a blessed Advent, Bill. I look forward to seeing your photos of the churches that you visit.
Deleteso glad you got to attend church services and now have your first candle lit for the season..
ReplyDeleteI like visiting different churches, but it's good to be able to get to my own church after a time away. I find lighting a candle at home helps me remember God is present in all places. I can also think of others near and far during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
DeleteI appreciate the Advent time of the year. Glad you feel good enough to get out again.
ReplyDeleteHello Ellen. It's good to be back home in the UK where I can get on a tram or bus into or across the city and feel well enough to do so. Wishing you a peaceful week.
DeleteThis is a beautiful post you have written to usher in the Advent season. Blessings to you, Pat xx
ReplyDeleteDear Pat, thank you for visiting here. May God bless you during the Advent and Christmas season. I'll speak to you again soon.
DeleteI'm so glad you're on the road to recovery and that you're able to share in this special season with friends at church. I've never had an advent candle but it's a lovely way to count down to the big day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo. I do appreciate being near town as well as country with good transport links and, of course having a senior citizen bus pass is a great help. I've cut down on shopping for Christmas as I don't like it when the big shops are crowded with people. I haven't made an Advent wreath this year, but the candle is meaningful too.
DeleteSuch a lovely post,Linda. Wishing you peaceful, happy days in this Advent season:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosie. Wishing you and your husband well also :)
Deletebonjour
ReplyDeletej'espère que vous aller mieux
le temps file trop vite et j'ai du oublier de venir sur votre blog
je vous souhaite une joyeuse semaine de l'avent
tous mes voeux de bonheur et de santé
tendresse
Thank you Iris. Wishing you all the best in the days ahead.
DeleteJust caught up on your last few posts, Linda. Beautiful photos; I especially like the mountains in Italy: breathtaking! You have such a good eye for making your headers. The combination of photos and colors are very pleasing. Hope you and your hubby didn't overdo it on your "working vacation." I wish you and yours a very blessed Advent season. Hoping it is relaxing and peaceful. Many blessings, Bess
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments. We enjoyed our vacation and had plenty of time to rest as well as work. Bless you dear Bess.
DeleteIt's absolutely lovely hearing that you are so well again and are able to fully live your life.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Dina. I'm thankful that I'm feeling much better now after a difficult few months of having the necessary medical treatment.
DeleteYes, Advent is here, a time for peaceful reflection. It's such a blessing to be able to look back on the year that has passed and see the Lord's hand in the midst of it all and to look forward in anticipation of the celebration of his incarnation. I am so very glad to know all is well with you once again. All blessings to you and Mr. P.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gloria.
DeletePrayers for continued good health. Enjoy the advent season.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marilyn.
DeleteWishing you many blessings this holiday season!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tammy. May your days also be peaceful ones.
DeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing the lovely post and great that you were able to attend a Church service. Enjoy the Advent Season and the quiet time for peace and reflection.
Thank you, also for the kind Christmas card I received today from you.
Blessings, Carolyn
Dear Carolyn, I'm glad that the Christmas card arrived. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I hope you are enjoying a peaceful week.
DeleteWe are also observing the Advent and lighting of candles. It is good to know that you are well again and appreciating the quiet reflection before Christmas. Support from friends, family and church members is very important in times of need. Wishing you good health and strengthened to be out and about enjoying things and also to travel to Italy. May God bless you and family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy, for your kind message. Your beautiful words and the blessing upon me and my family is much appreciated. Every blessing to you and those you love this Advent season.
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