While out this week with some of the people from Love Caerphilly on a prayer walk to pray for the town and our upcoming events, I was struck by how Advent is all about expectation. We as a church are not just counting down days; we’re preparing hearts.

So remember in the countdown to Christmas, it is not about the decorations, it's about:

Hope. God keeps His promises. Jesus came, and He’s coming again.  

It's not about the parties, it's about:

Peace. In the noise, pause. Make room for Him.

It's not about gifts, it's about:

Joy. True joy isn’t in gifts, but in Christ Himself.

It's not even about Christmas sing-a-longs or carol services, it's about:

Love. Christmas is love made visible. Let’s reflect it in kindness and compassion.  

As we walk, pray, and prepare for Christmas, let’s remember that Advent is more than tradition, it’s transformation. Hope reminds us God is faithful, peace steadies us in the chaos, joy lifts our hearts in Christ’s presence, and love calls us to action. The greatest gift isn’t under a tree, but in a manger: Jesus, God with us. So as we move toward Christmas, let’s carry that gift into our town, our homes, and our lives.  

In a world full of noise, notifications, opinions, and endless activity, it’s easy to wonder: How do I hear God? Often the answer isn’t in the thunder, the fire or the booming voice of God. Most times, it is simply in the whisper.

In 1 Kings 19:11–12, Elijah stood on the mountain waiting for God. A powerful wind tore through the rocks, then came an earthquake, and then fire, but God was not in any of those. Finally, Elijah heard a “still small voice.” That’s where God was.

This passage reminds us that God often speaks not through spectacle, but through stillness. His voice may come as a gentle nudge, a quiet conviction, or a peaceful assurance in your spirit. To hear Him, we must slow down, quiet our hearts, and make space.

Jesus modeled this beautifully. In Luke 5:16, we read, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” He didn’t wait for the perfect moment, He created it. He stepped away from the crowds, the miracles, and the ministry to be alone with God.

So if you’re longing to hear Him, don’t be discouraged by silence. Lean into it. Find your quiet place, whether it’s a walk in nature, a moment before bed, or a pause in your day, and then listen. God is near, and He still speaks.

And remember His whisper is enough to calm your storm!

Have you ever bought a new car and suddenly you notice it everywhere on the road? Or a pair of trainers that now appear to be on everyone’s feet? It’s a matter of focus. When you focus on something it becomes bigger in your vision. “For where your treasure is, there your heart is also” Matthew 6 v 21.

Recently the Lord has spoken to me about seeing open doors. There are opportunities that God has already opened up for us but sometimes we just don’t see them as they’re not a priority. It’s so easy to get consumed with earthly things. My list of jobs is endless, whether that’s to do with work, the house, family, Christmas shopping and on and on. So many voices demanding so many things.

However, I have learned in the busiest seasons of life to retreat even more to the secret place. It is behind closed doors that I better understand what is important to God. It is in spending time with the Lord, reading the Word, speaking in tongues, crying out to God, that my focus changes. A lot of earthly things become dissatisfying, losing their importance when I see Jesus. His priorities are not of this world. There are lives that are wide open to Jesus. There are people to love. You really don’t have to look far.

So when life gets busy and you don’t know where to start, go to God. Give your time to what matters most. Don’t be so consumed by earthly things! Each day at work will continue to start and finish. The washing basket will fill and empty over and over. Christmas will come and go for another year and the memory of last year's presents will fade till no one can remember what they received.

But realigning our focus on Jesus and seeing what He sees as priority (namely people!) will mean they our energy is used for eternal things and there's nothing better than that!

For some, the words 'work' and 'blessing' seem to be worlds apart. As I prepare to return to work after maternity leave, God has challenged me about my view of work, so I reach for the Bible. It has a lot to say about work including how it was part of the perfect World God created before sin entered (Genesis 2:15).

The example of Exodus and the wanderings in the desert as a lack of work contributing to the Israelites stumbling into sin...and many more.

Then I read 2 Thes 3:6-13. Paul talks about our efforts and attitude....not to be busybodies, not to get tired of doing good and leading by example.

That struck me; my work is not just a means of survival but an avenue to do good to others. And the harder that seems to be, the more influence it will have on others. So my encouragement is to return to work with a refreshed attitude of blessing and doing good.

I pray that God will use us powerfully in our places of work by being who we are made to be, sons of God.

Amen.