Christmas is coming!
In fact, by the time you're reading this, it's probably closer than we'd like to admit! The supermarkets are already stacked with mince pies, the Christmas adverts will soon be appearing on our screens, and some people may even have all their presents wrapped and hidden away. (If that's you, well done. If you're still wondering where this year has gone, you're not alone!)
But in all the excitement, busyness and preparation, it's easy to miss what Christmas is really about.
At the heart of Christmas is Jesus. God stepping into our world. Hope arriving in human form - the greatest gift ever given.
As we prepare to celebrate His birth, we're reminded that Christmas isn't just about what we believe, it's about how we live.
The Apostle John writes: "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18 (NIV)
That's the heart behind this year's Kerith Revive Advent Calendar: 24 Days to Make a Difference. We're inviting our church family to move beyond good intentions and put God's love into action through simple acts of kindness that bring hope to the people around us.
Small Acts. Big Impact.
Rather than simply counting down to Christmas with chocolate, we're inviting you to count down with kindness.
Behind each day of our Revive Advent Calendar is a simple challenge designed to help us look beyond ourselves and intentionally bless someone else.
You might:
☕ Invite someone for a coffee
❤️ Send an encouraging message
👋 Take time to chat with a neighbour
🥫 Donate to a local charity
🙏 Pray for your street
Nothing complicated. Nothing overwhelming. Just simple opportunities to reflect the love, generosity, and compassion of Jesus in our everyday lives.
Many of the challenges won't cost a penny, but every one of them has the potential to make a difference.
A conversation that lifts someone's spirits. A kind word at the right moment. A practical act of generosity that reminds someone they haven't been forgotten.
Advent gives us a chance to live out the words of 1 John 3:18 in practical ways. Not simply talking about love, but demonstrating it. Not just wishing people well, but showing up for them. Not only celebrating the gift we've received in Jesus, but sharing something of that gift with others.
One Church, Four Communities, Four Incredible Charities
Throughout Advent, we'll also be supporting four fantastic local charities, each nominated by one of our Kerith sites.
These organisations are serving some of the most vulnerable people in their communities every day. Through practical support, encouragement, and care, they're bringing hope where it's needed most.
Over four special days in December, we'll invite the whole church to support these charities through their Amazon Wishlists.
Bracknell - Create Hope
Providing therapeutic support to children, young people, adults, and families, helping them overcome emotional challenges, build resilience, and find hope.
Farnborough - OFLAC
Supporting adults with learning disabilities, helping them develop life skills, build friendships, and grow in confidence through meaningful activities.
Windsor - Windsor Foodshare
Providing essential food and household items to individuals and families facing financial hardship, helping ensure nobody in their community goes hungry.
Isle of Wight - Isle of Wight Foodbank
Providing emergency food and essential supplies to people experiencing financial hardship, offering practical help and hope during difficult times.
We've asked each charity to include items at a range of prices, starting from just a couple of pounds, because we believe that generosity should be accessible to everyone.
There's absolutely no obligation to purchase anything - every act of kindness matters, whether that's buying an item from a wishlist, giving your time, offering encouragement, or praying for someone.
Imagine the Difference
Imagine what could happen if hundreds of us across Kerith each chose one intentional act of kindness every day throughout Advent.
Hundreds of encouraging conversations. Hundreds of people prayed for. Hundreds of practical acts of generosity. Hundreds of opportunities for people to encounter something of God's love through HIS Church.
The Christmas story reminds us that God saw a world in need and responded with extraordinary generosity - HE didn't send advice, HE sent HIS Son.
As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege of continuing that story by bringing hope into our streets, workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods.
Share Hope This Christmas with the Revive Advent Calendar
Our beautifully designed calendars are available to pre-order now, with collection from your chosen Kerith site on Sundays from 15th November.
The calendar is perfect for individuals, families, and households of all ages. Why not get everyone involved and see what happens when, together, you choose to share a little extra kindness, generosity, and hope this Christmas?
All net proceeds from calendar sales will support the work of Kerith Revive across our four sites, helping us continue addressing material, relational, and spiritual poverty in our communities.
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy being part of, you can pre-order your Advent Calendar HERE. We'd love you to join us.