In the service that Lyn Smalridge carefully crafted for Methodist Morning Worship on the fourth Sunday in Advent, he incorporated three reflections, the last of which we’ve printed below, but we encourage you to read the whole story, available at this link:

In the twelfth century, Bernard of Clairvaux, who was the founder of the Cistercian order of monks, said Christ comes to us in three different ways: firstly, in Bethlehem at Christmas; secondly, at the end of the age; thirdly, in the lives of believers every single day.

So, in these weeks leading up to Christmas, we reflect on the Advent of the past – the Incarnation – and on the Advent of the future – when Christ returns in glory – but we also need to be aware of the Advent now! Here! In the present!

At some point this Christmas in our house we will probably watch again for the umpteenth time the film Love Actually. And you will remember how Billy Mack an aging rock star, brilliantly played by Bill Nighy, tries to make a comeback by recording a version of the old Troggs song Love is all around: “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes, Love that’s all around me and so the feeling grows” Except that, in Billy Mack’s version, he sings “Christmas is all around”.

But, in a very real sense, love is all around. Because Christ is all around, in every moment; because, as Father Richard Rohr says, “We cannot not be in the presence. The presence is infinite, always, everywhere and forever.”

The problem is that we are not present to the presence! We are somewhere else – living in the past, or worrying about the future – and missing Jesus in the here and now.

The end of this Advent season can be full of pressures: “Will that Amazon delivery come in time?”; “Did I remember to order the turkey?”; “I got a card from … but haven’t sent one back!” In all the busyness, tinsel and lights, we can miss out on Advent now!

So, for now, let’s pause and take a moment to experience the Eternal Advent, the Advent of now and always; take a moment to be still and be present to the Presence. God is incarnate in every moment, not just at Christmas. Emmanuel – God with us – Jesus – truly is all around. Love is all around!

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash.