09/12/2014

From The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu:

On Advent Sunday I heard the story of a mother who was frustrated by her son who found it very difficult to get up in the morning to get ready for school. He would sleep through the alarm, and she would call out ‘John, John please get up”. No response! She went up to his room, felt his forehead, made sure he was still breathing, then came back with a glass of cold water, and poured it on his head. He woke up and protested, “Give me one good reason why I should go to school. “Because you’re the headmaster!”

Some of us find it difficult to wake up and get ready in the cold mornings of winter. And the real challenge of Advent is a clarion call to wake up from our dreaming, get ready, and pay attention to loving ourselves, loving others, and – believe it or not – loving God.

This season presents us with the greatest opportunity to check the health and vigour of our spiritual life.

And that is the joy of the little booklet I’m following called, ‘Love Life, Live Advent’. The booklet presents us with an action each day to help us pause, reflect and to make room in our busy lives for God’s greatest gift – Jesus. Today, 9th December, the action is about giving gifts to others. It says, “Think of someone you wouldn’t usually buy a present for, or who may not buy you one. Give them something you think they would really like.”

My charity for online-giving, is doing just that - encouraging people to donate money, to give another gift perhaps for a person needing a new coat, help to fix the washing machine, etc. I00% of what is donated goes to the person in need.

So I would say, if you are thinking about giving, don’t wait until Christmas. Do it today.