#AdventWord #Wash #洗淨

在路加福音裡，約翰告訴我們:「我是用水給你們施洗，但有一位能力比我更大的要來…」在復臨節，我們用水清潔並預備我們的家迎接家人和朋友，以一起慶祝基督的再來。願每一次的洗淨，清潔和沖洗都提醒我們受浸的意義，並再次預備我們的心，接待基督進入我們的家，我們的心並進入我們的世界。

In Luke, John tells us, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming…” In Advent, we use water to clean and prepare our homes to welcome family and friends as we celebrate the coming of Christ together. May each act of washing, cleaning, and rinsing remind us of our baptisms and prepare our hearts once again to receive Christ into our homes, our hearts, and into our world.

Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island has just reopened after an 18-month, £3m, restoration project to repair the castle from long-term water damage to the walls and roof.  During the restoration, 17th century wall paintings were uncovered in the old kitchen and one of the bedrooms; dating from the time when the castle was a military base.  “An exciting and rare find” says the National Trust, “suggesting that there might have been more to life at the castle than just a military base”.

Washing implies cleaning, cleansing and refreshing.  Advent is a chance for us all to undertake a mini-restoration project on our own hearts and lives.  We never know what treasures we might unearth in the process!