Advent / Christmas Message from Unit Leader

  What does Christmas really mean and what are we celebrating?

The term "Advent"  is a  word  adopted  from  Latin  “adventus”  meaning "coming   or   arrival",   translating into Greek  “parousia”.  In  the  New Testament, thisis the term used for the Second Coming of Christ.

The Child, born of the Virgin Mary, is the “Word” of God made flesh. The “Word” who guided Abraham’s heart to step towards the promised land, and who continued to draw to himself all those who trust in God’s promises... the “Word” who led the Hebrews on the journey from slavery to freedom and who continues to call the enslaved in every age, including our own, to come forth from their prisons.

The Advent  atmosphere  is  rooted  in  the  experience  of  exile  described  in  the  Hebrew  Scriptures.  The people were far from their homeland. They cried out for a Saviour to deliver them from a great darkness. The Messiah would light their way HOME.

The longing for HOME of the Israelites reminds us of our own inner places of exile. At times we feel we are not our own selves. We hear our inner selves say... This is not me? I have been loving, patient, humble and peaceful...but now, I feel I am no more of my own self...I am in Exile...my exile can be a spiritual or psychological, emotional or social separation which keeps me from being at HOME with my own true self.

Read more: Advent / Christmas Message from Unit Leader