Advent on Streatham Vale Baptist Church

Imagine Peace

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 06:40:31 +0000

The day is finally here! Christmas has arrived. We celebrate because Jesus’ coming to earth is the beginning of God’s Kingdom coming - the kingdom of God is near! The angels worshipped God saying “Peace to those on who His favour rests.”

Peace….Imagine a world at peace. And not just the absence of war, but true peace - a fullness, a wholeness. The restoring of broken things, the reconciling of all things.

Darkness and Silence: God speaks and brings light

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:35:57 +0000

During the Season of Advent, we are reminded about our need to wait with expectation and hope even when it feels like we are living in darkness and silence. And so, we listen to the song of Simeon, and reflect with him as he finally sees the Messiah after (probably) decades of waiting. Simeon had to wait for God’s promised to him to be fulfilled. Israel had to wait centuries for the Messiah to come.

Violence And Redemption

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 06:54:20 +0000

The Christmas story is not a fluffy picturesque story of peace and joy, it is gritty and real. It includes pain and scandal, violence and murder. And so, Advent calls us to pause and dwell upon the world as it is and the world as it will be. We should not ignore the reality of the world we live in, but neither should we be overwhelmed by the horror of it.

Flight and Compassion

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:14:47 +0000

We consider the contentious topic of immigration and migration and what the Nativity story can teach us about how we handle this topic.

Readings

Luke 1:46-55

John 1:46

Quotes

“They might have been scavengers, trying to sponge off the goodness of others, seeking to take shelter and resources that rightfully belonged to the locals” Listening to the Music of the Soul, Guli Francis-Dehqani

“movingly convey that blessings come when we open our arms to those we do not know.” Listening to the Music of the Soul, Guli Francis-Dehqani

Good News to the Powerless

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:09:10 +0000

As we start the season of Advent, we are using the Archbishop of York’s Advent Book for 2025: Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani. In this series we will be considering how the Nativity Story is still incredibly relevant for us today. It speaks into the big issues that we face in the world today. The first one for us to consider is how it is good news to the powerless.

Christmas Day: Mary's Story

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Christmas! Hoping you have a very love-filled and joy-filled day. It is Christmas Day! A day of celebration and joy! A day we remember that God Himself chose to come to earth because He loves us so much.

But it is also a day to pause and reflect. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. In the excitement of presents, food, family and friends, let us not forget to treasure the greatest gift that we can ever receive - the gift of God with us!

Elizabeth's Story

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

As we continue to follow our Advent series, using the book ‘Women of the Nativity: An Advent and Christmas journey in nine stories’ by Paula Gooder, we turn our attention to Elizabeth and Zechariah.

This couple had been diligently serving God their whole lives, but remained childless until they received unexpected joy from God who promised a son.

What joys, expected or unexpected, do you have? How can you share your joy with others so that they may join you in praising God?

Sarah's Story

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The story of Christmas, of God coming down to dwell with His creation is bigger than just the events of the Nativity as found recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The story of Christmas echoes throughout the whole of human history.

Matthew’s gospel recognises that the story of Christ begins long ago, as he starts his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, starting with Abraham who fathered Isaac. Which is why we are spending time looking at the story of Abraham and Sarah this week.

Disturb routines to make room for the spectacular

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The Magi saw the star in the sky and knew something amazing was happening, a child had been born who was going to change the world. Despite being from another culture, another religion, they were open to being disturbed by God, allowing God to direct them to see someone spectacular.

How are we being disturbed by God to see the spectacular?

Readings

Matthew 2:1-18

Disturb corruption to make room for justice

info@streathamvalebaptist.org.uk (Pastor Alex Camp) — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

King Herod liked to pretend that he was King of the Jews, and so when the Magi informed him of the news of Jesus’ birth, he was disturbed. Herod reigned with fear, intimidation and corruption. Jesus reigns with justice, righteousness and compassion.

The birth of Jesus demonstrates the beginning of God establishing His Kingdom of justice on earth. But it is not fully here yet. We still see such corruption and injustice in the world. How can we live lives of justice that make an impact in the world around us? How can we change the way we interact with people that we have power and authority over? Let us live lives that follow Jesus’ example of how to wield power and authority.