
Heatherside Advent 2024
..that means Christmas is coming!
Heatherside Celebrates Advent 2024
What did Mary Think?
These simple verses by Shelley Spiers /engage worship may well describe the range of emotions
Startled!
An angel appears
bringing news of a child.
A baby?
For me?
Surely it’s impossible for a virgin to conceive.
​
Terrified!
What about Joseph?
How to explain?
Imagine the scandal,
the stares and the shouts.
I’ll surely be stoned when the news gets out.
Amazed
​
by words of comfort,
of hope,
of joy.
The child that I carry
is a special baby boy.
A saviour sent from God!
​
Overjoyed
​
that the LORD
has blessed his servant.
The mighty one has done great things.
May it be to me just as you say.
I’m just a young girl,
but Father,
I’m yours.
Mary was a teenager yet took on the huge responsibility of motherhood because she knew it was God's will for her.
She 'rejoiced in God, my Saviour'.
Let's take a moment to reflect on what He has done for us this year.
The verses below are from a blog that was published during the pandemic - but the words are just as true every year.
God of Light and Hope
No matter how difficult this past year has been,
You have been there for us, and with us.
Through all the strangeness of pandemic precautions,
You were faithful and held us in your strong arms.
My soul magnifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
Holy and Mighty God
When we have felt helpless, and afraid,
You have been our strength and comfort;
What is unknown to us, is fully known to you.
There is nowhere we can go, but you are there,
With us and for us.
The Mighty One has done great things for me –
holy is his name.
God of love and mercy,
We look back with thanksgiving for our lives,
And we look forward with purposeful hope.
You have been our refuge and strength in the past.
Strengthen our faith, give roots to our hope,
And fill our hearts with renewed joy this Advent.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.