[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 04/Jan/2026]
The month January is named after the Roman God Janus who had two faces, symbolising the ability to look both forward and backward. It is often a time for reflecting on the past and contemplating the future, but therein lies the danger. All too often the biggest disturbers of my peace are regret for past mistakes and fears for the future.
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[A miscellaneous reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2025]
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3 v16 [ESVUK]
To my Father, who is in heaven, epitome of holiness, worthy of all glory and respect, by whose word heaven and earth were created and are maintained; the very essence of love, patience and justice; you are unwilling for anyone to perish and so you sent your Son to provide a way back to you;
I give you thanks.
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[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 21/Dec/2025]
I was interested to see during recent services that each Advent candle was given a name when it was lit. We’ve also received a Christmas card this year with four named candles on the front – peace, hope, love, joy.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2025]
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91 v11 [NIVUK]
It was a wintry evening in Bucharest, the temperatures were dropping, the winds were blustery, the snow was piling up in drifts. Inside the airport it was warmer but crowded with people anxious to complete their journeys. Then came the dreaded announcement – all flights were cancelled. As we tried to get more information from the airline desk there came a second announcement – the airport was closing. What was I to do?
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[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 14/Dec/2025]
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1 v14 (NIV)
At the Thursday Group carol service last week, I tested the group on their knowledge of Christmas carol lyrics — and it turned out to be more difficult than we expected. These hymns and songs are so familiar to us, yet the words can easily wash over us. In doing so, we miss their meaning, their truth, and their honesty.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2025]
Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, often referred to as Advent Sunday. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity.[1]