Hello!

December is upon us and along with the whirlwind of planning, buying gifts, attending nativities and putting up decorations, an opportunity to remember the reason why we celebrate. Our saviour, humbly born in a stable to bring good news and peace on earth. Immanuel ‘God with us’.

It is a time to take pause and give thanks for the love and joy found in Jesus. To acknowledge the gift of his life for us, so that we can rest assured that we are held, loved and never alone. We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Rooted!

With lots of love,
Bethanna and the Kids Team x

Abide

by Pippa Fishlock

For a few years now I have had a growing longing that this Christmas time will be different – that somehow, I will withstand being swept into the swell of gift-buying, kids’ Christmas parties and even the excitement (and mild but beautiful chaos) of some our own church’s Christmas activities.  

I have found myself hoping at the start of each December that on Christmas morning I would awaken, after a meaningful and slow advent, to experience the precious presence and peace of the Holy Spirit as he brings revelations of Jesus to me. Perhaps this is everyone else’s reality, but alas, for me it hasn’t been. In fact, last year we had the delight of a family sick bug on Christmas Day, so this glowing dream was not what greeted me on Christmas morn.

So many of the things that have filled my advent in recent years have not felt like they have been at my instigation. Indeed, I can quickly feel a growing heaviness of the pressures of the season rather than the richness and joy it could be.

As I paused to reflect on this newsletter, in the run up to Advent, I felt the Holy Spirit drop into my mind John 8.31. It says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”. This isn’t perhaps the usual festive verse, but I felt the invitation of the Spirit to explore how I might slow down this Advent and be with Him. The word ‘abide’ in the Greek can be more fully translated as ‘to remain, to stay, to continue, to dwell, to endure’ and synonyms of ‘abide’ are even ‘to linger, to pause and expect’. There is no doubt a slowness to this word – an intentionality – but also such promise.

We have a choice to sit with the Word, to fill our minds with it each day, whenever that window of opportunity may be. I can’t help but think of the first verses of the book of John, where we have this amazing revelation of Jesus as the Word. Indeed the very point of Christmas is that we celebrate the Word becoming flesh – Jesus. And what is the promise, as we choose to sit with the Word made flesh? That the truth of Jesus will set us free! Wow - this is the best Christmas gift ever, no?

I would suggest (and am very much speaking to myself here) that this needs to be our priority this season. Let's think about how to create ways to slow down and abide in Him. It feels counter-cultural but so essential in order to connect fully with our beautiful saviour who held nothing of himself back, but gave himself freely to those who didn't even know him yet.

How can we create moments in our family life to abide with Jesus in the busyness of the Christmas season? What might help our kids connect with the notion of resting in Him too? I’m praying for the grace and wisdom of the Holy Spirit on us all we navigate this season.

I leave you with Isaiah 9.2&6, 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.... For unto us a child is born; to us a son is given"

Advent of generosity

I know, I know, it’s already the 2nd of December but it’s never too late to start a new Christmas tradition. I’m sure that I am not the only one to have wondered about how to help my children stay more grounded at Christmas time. It can be so easy to get swept up in the excitement of all things presents and events and understandably so for kids who are excited about writing Christmas lists and what they might find under the tree.

I recently saw someone talking about how alongside their usual chocolate advent calendars or advent candles, they try to also have an advent of generosity where they might do something as a family every day, or once a week or even fortnightly. So, why not give it a try? Make it work for your family and choose a goal that is manageable for you. These don’t have to be things that cost you a lot of money, or even any money at all but an opportunity to sit together as a family and think about ways you might be able to be generous this Christmas time. Most importantly have fun with it! You can do as little or as much as you like. Freely we have received, so may we freely give.

Here are some ideas you might like to try:

• Choose one or two things that are still in good condition that you can donate to charity for another family to enjoy.

• Make cards for local businesses or emergency services thanking them for all they do for our town.

• Donate some food items to the Hastings foodbank. If you’re unsure what they need you can find it here along with donation points.

• Do you have a friend or family member who works very hard but who may go unseen? Write them an encouraging letter and make them a hot cup of tea or coffee.

• Compliment a stranger today!

• Pop into Priory Meadow, find the giving Christmas tree (opposite M&S) and select a tag and then purchase a suitable gift and drop it into the shop ‘Kids Stuff’.

• Next time you’re on a walk, pick up any litter you notice.

• Be on the look out for the lonely or downcast around you, perhaps you could offer to play with them at school or pray for them at work or even open your home to them for a hot chocolate and nibbles if that is suitable.

• Invite someone to a church event, offer to meet them at the door or hang out before/ after the event!

• Offer to do one thing for another family member in the house, maybe its emptying the dishwasher or folding and putting away clothes or offering to play a game with someone or getting the craft out together!

• Write a letter to somebody and post it!

• Commit to praying for someone (or more than one person!) regularly.

Get to know: Kisha and Hartley

Hello lovely peeps. I am Kisha from the beautiful small Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Some may ask, why have you left this island paradise for this miserable British weather? Well, five years ago I decided to migrate to the UK in persuit of career opportunities and professional growth. I'm a general registered nurse and have been practising nursing for the past 11 years.

I am a single mum with a very affable son named Hartley who is aged 7 (well, sometimes I think he is older!). Hartley enjoys jigsaw puzzles, building Lego and he loves maths.

We previously worshipped at His Place just a few blocks from HTH and I was an active member there from when I first moved to the UK in December 2019, however, last year in October a friend invited myself and Hartley to HTH as there was a Sunday school service for kids. I remember Hartleys' first Sunday school service and how excited he was about the teaching about Jacob and how he managed to explain everything he learnt in detail. Since then HTH has become home for us both. I am an avid believer in spiritual growth and encouraging others and this is something I have tried my utmost to practise and instil in my son.

Remember my brothers and sisters life isn't perfect and and we all have challenges however, rest assured that God promised to never leave us nor forsake us and in every storm we encounter he gives us grace and strength to glide the waves all we have to do is keep our eyes fixed on him. Let's not be like Peter and lose focus because eventually we will sink.

Stay blessed and thanks for all the love,

Kisha

Christmas at HTH is in full swing and promises to be chock full of fun, joy, chaos and love this Christmas time as we join together to celebrate! We can’t wait to see you - scan the QR code for more details or visit the website.