As dusk falls we are entering Advent.

Tonight Advent carol services are starting in Salisbury, Winchester and other darkened  cathedrals lit only by candles.

In parish churches Advent wreaths are ready to have their first candle lit in the morning.

We are entering a period of reflection on Old Testament prophesies and the coming of Christ again.

Rob Marshall, on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for Day this morning, said that Advent was his favourite season which he described as “a journey of learning to wait”.

It’s not Christmas yet and there is three weeks to go before we even start following Mary and Joseph in real time on their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem.