Advent

5th December 2025

After last week’s staff training day it has been good to return to the rhythms of a ‘typical’ working week, in school or college. Last week’s long weekend came at a great time during the term and the year, when a foreshortened ‘teaching’ week feels like a break from the norm and we will have all been refreshed by the experience; ready to ‘push on’ into December and the last few weeks before the Christmas break.

As we move into December this weekend will, for many, be the weekend when the Christmas decorations are dusted off, the tree is bought or removed from its protective sleeve and the lights are tested – with the odd trip switch/fuse blowing. That’s a window into my Saturday – something that I am quietly looking forward to; as long as the decorations are too gaudy, they are limited and it all doesn’t get in the way of the Ashes commentary.

For those who have a deep Christian faith we enter into the period of Advent.  For many we might recognise Advent through the chocolate based daily ‘door opening’ ritual and we are unlikely to have given a great deal of thought to the spiritual or wider religious meaning of this period – the run up to the ‘holy day’, Christmas Day. I mention that because, in these days of a more ‘relaxed’ approach to the spirituality of the Christmas period – which is absolutely fine and the inclusive nature of this period is to be welcomed and celebrated – we might just give some thoughts to our friends, colleagues and community who give to and take more from the month of December.

For those who are committed to their faith Advent is a particularly spiritual time. It is a period of anticipation and preparation. Thought is given to readying the house, readying the person for the Christmas period. This may involve an amount of prayer and will certainly involve deep reflection on one’s faith and self, in the wider context of a family, a community and a church.  As suggested, with my reference to the Christmas lights, it will be a time to turn to light – symbolically and/or literally.

I think last year I wrote, at this time of year, about the connectivity of the Christian festival Christmas, with the pagan midwinter festivals. You can see that link, through Advent. We are in the darkest, coldest and, for some, hardest period of the metrological year. One can see why early peoples, be them pagan, Christian, of another faith, or none, might have looked to find warmth and light during this period of the year.

As we move into December, as we decorate our trees and homes, as we start to plan, as we become increasingly excited or anxious about what the holiday period might bring, we might, whatever our faith might be, take some time to reflect on the importance of this time of year to us all. A period of light in the dark, of warmth in the cold and, I hope, a period of generosity of spirit, bringing or sharing some of that warmth or light with others.

‘Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.’ Desmond Tutu