Today is the first day of Advent (despite what various calendars and candles may suggest!).

During the season of Advent, Christians across the world prepare for the celebration of the arrival of the Lord into the world through the birth of his Son Jesus Christ. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. It is also a time to look forward to when Jesus will come a second time.

Today in the cathedral we shall wear a purple stoles. This is a colour to signify royalty as we wait for the return of Jesus. Purple is also a colour that would be seen at Lent and during Holy Week as it also signifies fasting and suffering.

That link is key for me as I prepare to worship on the first day of Advent. This season, the birth of Jesus are inextricably linked to Lent, crucifixion and resurrection. The two go together and for a ‘complete’ gospel we need to keep that central in our thinking.

The ‘lovely’ story that people enjoy to hear has a gritty edge of reality which enables us to relate to the incarnate God.