I don’t know about you, but I hate waiting!

Waiting for buses, in the supermarket, at the doctor’s, or hundreds of other situations every day.

All the time I think to myself, what a waste of time, why am I even waiting at all?

For Christians, the season of Advent before Christmas is a time of waiting, but waiting with a purpose.

It’s like the moment where a traffic light turns red and amber at the same time – it’s a signal to wait, and to get ready to go.

Advent for Christians is when we wait to give thanks for God’s love for all humankind in the birth of Jesus, celebrated at Christmas.

The good news of Christmas is about hope, peace, joy and love in Jesus. Advent invites us to get ready for it by thinking of these themes, and how we as Christians can do more in our own lives to get ready to go and share them with others around us.

For me this is a message for all of us here in Bolton, whether we are people of a faith or none. What are we waiting for? And how can we get ready to play our own part in sharing hope, peace, joy and love in our communities in the new year to come?

In my work across the borough, I am constantly humbled to come across dedicated staff and volunteers working for charities, faith groups, schools, community and council organisations, befriending services, warm spaces and foodbanks to name only a few.

They are tackling the real issues in many of our communities – loneliness and isolation; supporting families, younger and older people; offering help for those struggling with their mental health, with the cost of living, with addiction.

At this time of year, it’s right to say thank you to all of them and all of you – because all of us can be a part of this work, and we don’t have to wait to get involved. We just need to get ready to help!

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and peaceful New Year.