2024 Advent Course

Please do join us for our Advent course - all welcome.

We shall be basing our studies on the Advent Lectionary readings for Year C. Material for the four Studies can be accessed below. Please contact Mark Venn if you would like further information.

The course uses material put together by John Birch (www.faithandworship.com). He writes:

The Advent season, marking the beginning of the liturgical year in many Christian traditions, is a time of anticipation, preparation, and hope. It spans the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and is deeply significant for millions worldwide. The term “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming” or “arrival,” symbolizing the anticipation of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Advent is not only a time of spiritual reflection but also one of joyful anticipation. It encourages believers to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations.

In this study we will be using the readings for Year C in the liturgical calendar, but that does not prevent it being used at any time, as the focus remains on the season of anticipation and birth!

There are many ways of engaging with the Advent readings. At the end of this study you will find a page devoted to the practice of Lectio Divina, which is a slow, contemplative prayerful reading of a portion of Scripture, allowing it to speak directly to our hearts and lives. It is a method of praying loved by the benedictine tradition of monasticism.

The component Contemplations describes "Lectio Divina" and "Visio Divina". They require is a few minutes of quiet, while we read Scripture or look at the images inspired by the Bible. We can put ourselves into the account or the artwork, and allpw God to speak to us.

Notes for Week 1

Notes for week 2

Notes for week 3

Notes for week 4

Contemplations

Mary and Elizabeth in the garden of a country house,

Huth Hours, 1485-1490 British Library