Advent Calendar – Day 13 – St George and St John, Newbury

Welcome to Advent…Day 13
These short meditations can be done alone, with a partner, or with the whole family.
My suggestion is evening time; light a candle, play the music suggested below,
Have a little treat, it’s an Advent Calendar, after all!
(Maybe hide some chocolate around the house each day, or hang it from the ceiling?)
And read the material aloud together…
There’s quite a lot here. You dont need to do it all; either follow the story and the blessings, or simply enjoy the poems.
Make it a special moment, ten minutes of togetherness in this busy season.

Christmas Design, by Juliet Kielbon-Noakes

Music Suggestion

from Spotify

Theotokos and Child, ‘Sweet Kissing’. Orthodox Icon

The Birth of Jesus
When they arrived at Bethlehem, they found it was very busy and there was no where for them to stay. Mary knew she was soon going to have a baby. Joseph looked for a place to stay but there was no room in any of the hostels or inns.

Then, one kind Innkeeper saw that Mary was about to give birth and said, “I’m afraid that I too have no room inside, but I do have a small stable beneath the house. It’s not very nice and it may be a bit smelly, but at least it will be dry and out of the wind.”

Mary and Joseph were pleased to stay anywhere, and so they went to the stable and prepared for the night. While they were there, Mary gave birth to her first-born son, Jesus. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay.

A Poem – The Stable by Sr. M. Chrysostom, O.S.B.

The winds were scornful,
Passing by;
And gathering Angels
Wondered why
A burdened Mother
Did not mind
That only animals
Were kind.
For who in all the world
Could guess
That God would search out
Loneliness.

Reflection and Blessing for you and your loved ones
A baby born, the promised child, yet born in such vulnerable circumstances.
Every life contains the promise of God, every life holds the possibility of hope even in moments of struggle. Remind others with you of the value the gift they bring to the world.

Holy God, may we find ways to value the birth of the Chirst child – but also our own birth and those around us.
May the LOVE that enriches your life, shine in the world today and always. Amen

The Food Bank

West Berks Foodbank Reverse Advent Calendar
Day 13 – sponge pudding

Advent Calendar – Day 13

St George the Martyr

St John the Evangelist

St Michael & All Angels