Advent Encounter

24th December: It's nearly time. Nearly time for Christmas. The Bible is very clear that when God sent Jesus to us two thousand years ago, he sent him at just the right time. That's because God's timing is perfect. He's the ultimate Time Lord. So in this final episode of Advent Encounter Matthew urges each of us to put our trust in God and his timing. The Lord knows the time. And he knows that it's nearly time.

23rd December: Apart from the Wise Men, there's little in the Advent stories about presents. Instead, there's much more about presence. As people experienced the presence of God, so they worshipped, were commissioned and transformed. It's the same today. We are forever changed in God's presence. So pursue his presence this Christmas.

22nd December: When we worship we give ourselves to God. It's active, not passive and involves our bodies, our hearts and our wallets. We see this at the first Advent,, modelled so helpfully by the Wise Men, and it's true today. This episode encourages us to give our heart-felt worship to Jesus this Christmas.

21st December: There was conflict at the first Advent, even amongst the so-called 'Holy Family.' In this episode Matthew recognises that conflict can't be avoided, even in the most godly of families, and that God is present in the midst of conflict. So we need to learn how to handle conflict well, to enable a good outcome. This is not easy but it is possible, as we're honest and open, as we listen and love, and as we plan and pray.

20th December: There was lots of journeying going on at the first Advent. It's the same today, as many travel at Christmas to visit family and friends. We're also called to journey in our hearts to Bethlehem in order to encounter Jesus. In this episode Matthew encourages us to see that it's often through journey that God works to bring transformation.

19th December: When  Joseph married Mary the Bible says he 'took her home.' That's a way of saying they got married. They chose to be joined, taking each other into their lives. That's because our home represents our life. So in this episode Matthew asks us to consider our homes - our choices about our relationships, our possessions, our conversations and more. Who and what will be in our homes this Christmas?

18th December: The angel told Mary at the first Advent, 'nothing is impossible with God.' In this episode, Matthew refers to Apple computers, Sir Alex Ferguson's football philosophy and Bethel Church in Redding, California, asking the question: what could you do, if you were empowered to do the seemingly impossible?

17th December: Zechariah had a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit at the first Advent. Luke, who wrote about it in his Gospel account, intentionally uses identical words to those he later uses to describe what happened when people experienced the Holy Spirit thirty-three years later, on the Day of Pentecost. All this reminds us that we don't have to wait until Pentecost to experience the Holy Spirit. So welcome his presence today!

16th December: There were two types of singing that first Advent - songs of joy and songs of lament. Whilst different in emotion they'd both have been sung with great passion. In today's episode, Matthew explains that both kinds of singing are still important today. We need to find an authentic expression of both gratitude and grief - of happy and sad songs. Sung from the heart.

15th December: God used multiple ways of communication at the first Advent in order to share the good news of Jesus. We're called to do the same today. To communicate clearly, openly and appropriately. We're to pass on what's been shared with us. Not everyone will want to receive it, but many will. It's all about being an Advent Messenger.