The Advent of Writing

I was very young when the Dead Sea Scrolls were displayed in Edinburgh and I remember waiting in a

long line with my mother and sister to witness these important historical manuscripts. The Dead Sea Scrolls include the oldest surviving manuscripts of entire books later included in the biblical canons, including the deuterocanonical manuscripts. I found them inspiring and magical.

They came to mind recently during this season of Advent and set me to musing about writing to promote the importance of Advent and this led me to consider the types of stories written to promote Christmas. It's amazing the way the mind works.

Now, so much writing and too many stories at this time of year tend towards secular characters and tales of mythical creatures rather than concentrating on the importance of the period of Advent within the Christian calendar. While Advent for us is the four-week period dedicated to the reflective preparation for the time of birth of the baby Jesus at Christmas as well as Christ's expected return in the Second Coming, much promotion of the period now seems to centre around Advent calendars containing not just the message of the Birth of Christ but chocolates, toiletries or even alcohol.

I consider, therefore, that it is important to make the true meaning of Christmas as exciting  as the secular stories chilrden hear. After all the weeks of Advent focus on hope, peace, joy and love, what could be more joyful than these topics?

During this joyful time let each of us use the words God has given us to inspire those around us with the joy of the true meaning of Christmas and this inspirational period of Advent.