Idea and Reflection for Dec 22

Idea: Advent Resources

What are you doing for Advent?

You might like to think about using the Archbishop of York’s 2022 Advent Book, Sleepers Awake – getting serious about climate change. It contains practical suggestions and reflective meditations about climate change and environment, alongside fine art paintings relevant to the season, with prompts for prayer and action. It’s available at Bath Abbey shop, and at a good price from various ethical online book sellers.

Stephen Girling, our Area Dean is hosting online zoom conversations on this book each Tuesday evening during Advent. Contact us for more details.

Another online resource is the Injustice Advent Calendar. It’s run by Transform Trade (the new name for Traidcraft Exchange). Sign up using the link above, and every day you are sent an easy action from a different charity to help make the world a better place. Some of the other charities in this year’s calendar include The Trussell Trust, Marine Conservation Society and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Reflection: Humans’ responsibility to creation (Genesis 1.26-30)

As Genesis 1 draws to a close, we see the creation of humans as the last stage in God’s creation. Made in the image of God, we are to ‘rule’ over the rest of creation. But what does that mean? To rule, in biblical thinking, means to be given a responsibility, and God, the ultimate ruler, exercises his authority with love and care. So we should be following God’s example, and caring for creation rather than exploiting it. Can we follow Christ, our Servant King’s example, and see ourselves as responsible servants of creation, as we consider the impact of our lives?