Much as I’d prefer not to think about Christmas presents and cards until the week before Christmas, the reality is that as soon as Bonfire Night and Remembrance Sunday are over, I must procrastinate no longer! Poor Advent. It’s lost in the mists of time, its season of spiritual preparation for Christmas overtaken by ever exotic Advent Calendars, their numbered windows promising expensive ‘treats’ to help us to get through the stress of Christmas preparations. I’ve even seen a cheese-a-day Advent calendar. Seriously, who thought of that one?
Instead of moaning about the commercialism of Christmas, here at Lichfield Cathedral we do all we can to keep the Sundays of Advent special, beginning with the hauntingly beautiful Advent Carol Service. But then we go ‘full bling’ with the Christmas Light Show and the Christmas Tree Festival. They’re ever popular, a seasonal ‘must’ in many people’s diaries. And at the heart of both, is a search for the light in the midst of the darkness. Physical light in the long nights of winter. And spiritual light in a world which feels chaotic and dark.
One of my favourite worship songs is ‘Christ be our Light’ by the Roman Catholic songwriter Bernadette Farrell. It’s beautiful. If you don’t know it and have access to the internet, do search for it. You’ll soon be singing along to its gentle tune and meaningful lyrics.
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
This is why, I think, so many people turn to the Church at Christmas, on the shortest days of the year. Our ancestors prayed that the sun would return. We search for the Son – the one who is the Light of the World. Even those who don’t yet know him for themselves. But light and truth are in short supply at the moment – and in the Church we know both.
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
So many people are lonely at Christmas. So many are searching for somewhere to belong. As Christians we belong to one big family, made brothers and sisters through our baptism. Who might we ‘serve’ this Christmas by simply inviting them to ‘come and see’? Invite them to a carol service, or a social event at church, or bring them to their cathedral to see the Christmas Trees or Christmas Light Show. You might make someone’s Christmas, and it might be for them the first step to joining the church and finding faith. The worst that can happen is that they say no, so what’s to lose?
A blessed Advent from us all at Lichfield Cathedral. Your Cathedral.
The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane
Dean of Lichfield
The Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day
- in 2025, that is November 30.
Lichfield Cathedral’s programme of worship and events for Advent and Christmas
can be found on the cathedral website: