Weekes' Weekly News

Advent has finally arrived. Are we ready for the journey ahead? At least our journey will be a little more comfortable than that of Mary and Joseph all those years ago…

Back then, before Mary and Joseph set off on their trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem, fear would have been the overriding feeling in their world. To even think of travelling all that way, there also had to be a little hope, hope that eventually things would work out for the best. 

The long and dusty undulating desert journey (all 174 kilometres give or take) would have consisted of many dangers and uncertain moments. Cold temperatures, especially at night time, wild animals, minimal food and water, some unsavoury travellers sharing the route, not knowing if they would be able to find a place to stay, to name but a few. So many things could have gone wrong. Mary and Joseph persisted nonetheless. They had to. 

At that time, conflict had been more thanprevalent in society, but very soon, a tiny special gift was to change all that. A gift of peace for all humankind. When Mary and Joseph finally arrived in Bethlehem, alas, there was no room at the Inn. This did not matter to the simple couple. Mary and Joseph found rest amongst the animals, in the form of a stable. It was here that this precious gift entered the world, setting off a chain of magnificent and life altering events. Angels appeared to the Shepherds in the fields, the Bethlehem Star guided some important visitors to the little baby, who was blissfully unaware of his own specialness, laying down his sweet head in a manger, in an animal trough of all places. 

Back then there was also a great deal of indifference and hate in the world, but there were also signs of love, if you looked hard enough. One of the forgotten characters, the donkey showed not only courage, but a load of love, delivering Mary and Joseph all that way. He knew that he had an important task - he was committed and aware of his duty. The safe arrival of the baby Jesus and the steady stream of well wishes and worshippers also reveals that strong feeling of love that was 'all around' at the time. 

Up until this moment, there had been much sorrow, a tough existence for many. But joy was soon to rule the skies. The tremendous joy felt by the lowly shepherds when they were greeted by the angels, the first ones to hear the wondorous news is just one example of this joy. So too, the 3 Wise Men who followed the star, bringing Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the infant, their hate overwhelmed by both love and joy, deciding to not go back to the evil Herod, returning instead via a different path. There are many other examples of hope, peace, love and joy in this well known story. You may have some of your very own that spring to mind. 

As our Advent journey begins, may we stay awake for all the little instances of hope, peace, love and joy that will no doubt come our way, as we prepare for the second coming, the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. These examples and moments will probably appear in the unlikeliest of places, so be on guard, keep watch, for who knows, you may have already been presented with a few over the last couple of days. 

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend. 

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes 

School Principal