Dear Friends,

Most of us need an alarm clock if we are to wake up in time for whatever we have planned for the day. Many of us find it hard to respond when the alarm goes off. We may hit the snooze button and give ourselves five more minutes of sleep!

On other days, however, we may not even need an alarm clock, because we  have gone to bed so aware of the next day’s events that we wake up in good time anyway. What child needs to be woken up on Christmas Day ? The expectation of cards and presents to unwrap, and so much fun to be had, is all that is needed to ensure an early rising. The same thing happens on the morning of an exam or a visit to the hospital.

Other kinds of alarms alert us to danger. The home security alarm makes us check doors and windows and checking everything is where it should be; the sound of a smoke alarm means we spring into action to get out of the house and may lead to a call to the emergency services. Pressing the snooze button in these circumstances could mean the difference between life and death. 

The Gospel passage for Advent Sunday, (Matthew 24. 36-44) looks towards the return of the Son of Man, but there is a cutting edge to the words of Jesus. For the time of his coming is likened to the days before the Flood, when Jesus saw nothing but wickedness on earth. It was only Noah who found favour with him. An element of danger is also introduced through the image of burglary:God’s summons may catch us napping when we should have been alert. The image is clear: if you  stay asleep whilst a burglar is in your house, you will potentially lose everything you possess. If you stay asleep when Christ comes to judge the earth, you will lose even more.

So the  lesson is clear:always be on the alert, because the Son of Man will come when no one is expecting him. We don’t really have any excuse not to be ready. The readings during the season of Advent, will constantly remind us that the Lord is very near

Alison Mills
Parish Leader, and ALM

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Wednesday midweek Holy Communion 10.30 am
We will hold our usual Wednesday Holy Communion every Wednesday at 10.30am.
#Everyonewelcome #Refreshments

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Sunday 30th November
On the first Sunday of Advent we will welcome Rev Augustine to preside and  to preach, with with readings and prayers from St.Nicholas team. Everyone is welcome to join us. #refreshments

LIVE BROADCASTS:
Our 10.30am service is broadcast live every Sunday. View the service via our website www.st-nicholas-church.org.uk or via our You Tube channel #Everyone is welcome, #inclusivechurch

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A prayer for Sunday 30th November

Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen