“Joy to the World – Joy to Bridgend” Although Advent has only just begun, we have seen a huge outpouring of festive Joy around the Ministry Area. From the Advent Experience Coffee Morning at Brackla, to the Pen-y-fai Young Farmers’ Carol service, we are connecting families and young people into the life of Christ through his body, the Church. Joy is our festive theme this year, reflected in the personal invitation cards that each of our local congregations have produced, and begun placing in the hands of those we feel may appreciate an invitation to come and share the joy of Christmas with us. Offering a personal invitation is how we spread the good news. God calls us only to sow the seed: he will give the growth.

The purpose of these invitations is not merely to fill our churches in the weeks leading up to December 25th.  Of course, we hope to do that; but not as an end in itself. We fill our churches in order to set people along the pathway towards life-long, life-enriching, Christian faith. After the tinsel comes down, what comes next? For many it will be coming to Alpha, which begins on January 13th. We have a dozen names on the list already – some stalwarts of the faith, some people who are looking to learn more, and some people who are brand new. This is your opportunity to help the church grow, by inviting a friend, neighbour, or relative, and praying that God touches their heart through the teaching and fellowship.

The coming few weeks will be very busy – try to over-do it, but do make the most of them. Advent is after all a time of preparation. We prepare ourselves for the Lord’s second coming, by reliving the waiting that came before his first coming. As the church ‘re-lives’ that waiting, let me encourage you to prepare your heart for Christmas by taking time to reflect on the four key cultural pillars we are exploring this advent: prayerfulness (talking to God), evangelism (talking to others about God), hospitality (sharing God’s welcome), generosity (giving back to God).