This year is the first year I have burned an advent candle. Given that my family do not go to church, I try to pass on the stories another way and so each night after dinner we light the advent calendar and one of us reads a little bit more from the story of the birth of Jesus.

 

My family agrees to this probably because they think it is "Mum's thing"and out of a sense of loyalty to me, but I feel strongly that I need to pass on the stories and the message of Christmas and that one day it may come to mean something more to them. The bible is full of stories passed down from generation to generation which give us a sense of who we are, that we are part of this family of God's people and that we each have a part to play in God's plan.

Whenever I have felt lost in life or without a sense of purpose, recognising my place in this history has been of huge importance to me and I hope one day will be equally important to my family.

"The Lord says,"Listen to me , you that want to be saved, you that come to me for help.

Think of the rock from which you were dug.

Think of your ancestor, Abraham, and of Sarah, from which you are descended." Isaiah 51 vs 1