Thought for the week (we 1st December 2013)

Dr. Who’s fiftieth anniversary was celebrated with a special episode broadcast in 94 countries at the same time last Saturday.

Featuring three Doctors – Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt with appearances from Tom Baker, and the latest doctor Peter Capaldi. It’s amazing that a series planned to last just a few weeks has stood the test of time.

It may be that the ‘regeneration’ of the doctor is something to do with his popularity. Since the doctor’s first appearance in November 1963 each doctor has had his own strengths and weaknesses with different and welcome changes to personality and style.

Those of us old enough will remember the early days when the sets were a bit wobbly and the special effects were far from being what we are used to today, but that didn’t matter one little bit because for an hour on a Saturday night we were transported to the world of the Tardis, the Cybermen and perhaps the most feared of all, the dreaded Daleks.

This Sunday we celebrate the beginning of Advent and are reminded that God in the fullness of time entered the world of his creation in a baby born in Bethlehem. Hope and light to a world being wrecked with terrorism, fear and hatred and needs more than at any other time to know of God’s yearning that as people of all nations we live at peace and harmony.

We may not have a ‘Tardis’, or be able to ‘regenerate’ ourselves at the drop of a hat but have something of greater value, and that’s God’s gift of hope and love given to us that first Christmas. May Advent this year be for us a journey of hope and peace as we hear again the angels of Christmas proclaim ‘Peace, goodwill to all on whom his favour rests’