Advent Journey: On the mend

I've not been feeling well today - tiredness from some weather disturbed nights and the threat of a strep throat have kept me resting in bed most of the day. It's been quite nice in a way - giving myself permission to drop all the balls I've been juggling madly. Five days until Christmas Day and there are a lot of things I haven't done, and probably won't now. They don't seem important somehow. I always thought i had a fairly restrained Christmas, focussing more on the atmosphere than the material aspects of the season. Yet, this month of searching has helped me see that even this is not as important as how I prepare myself to meet the Saviour. The tinsel, lights and sumptuous groaning tables are lovely and all, but their glamour hides the simple truth of what Christmas is about. God Himself has come to be among us and that is the most powerful and awe inspiring thing for me right now.

Advent Journey: On Song

Advent is a time for singing. We sing many special songs at this time - Christmas Carols, choirs, concerts. We hear old familiar tunes as we wander around the shops or listen to the radio and tv. Music is a big part of our Christmas, we dig out the albums and sing along; we wait to hear who will be the top of the Christmas charts, we might get up and sing our party piece at gatherings. We sing at church as we celebrate the coming of Jesus. 

When Mary accepted God's plan for her, she rejoiced by singing. The Angels announced the birth of Jesus by singing. The Bible is full of songs, and it tells us too, that God sings over us. I love that. 

One of my favourite pieces of prose is the chapter in The Magician's Nephew where Aslan sings Narnia into being. I imagine the creation of our world to be like that. A divine note, resonating over time and space - the intricate mathematical details we find in Nature emerging to their own melodic energy. God hovering over the chaos and composing the most exquisite music as he formed His creation. And now we near the time when we celebrate the earthly birth of the Singer. As I approach the stable, I am listening out for the new song.

Advent Journey: On Reflection

I have been thinking more about my post On Abundance - or rather, on poverty. I wasn't really happy with it. I am posting late in the evening just now and I guess I ran out steam at the end. I wanted to say more, but the words evaded me. Then this morning I noticed a comment in the spam folder. I go there every couple of weeks and quickly scroll through the usual suspects before deleting them, but I noticed one pertaining to my post. It was a courteous enough comment, although seemed to be full of anger. I don't know who posted it as it was left anonymously, but it questioned the existence of a God who would allow evil and suffering in His creation. Is God omnipotent? 

I have been thinking about this on and off throughout the day. It is one of these arguments that has been around for centuries. I am on my own personal journey here and do not have the theological knowledge to answer the problem of evil in the world. What I do know, is, that evil and hardship exist. But if there is no God, does that mean evil and hardship is ok? Is poverty more acceptable, then, in a secular world?  I don't know - I imagine without God and knowledge of the concepts of good and evil, then the world would be an even more horrendous place - if such a place existed. 

I think of times where bad things have happened to me and yet I have come through them and even found myself better off in some way I did not expect. I look back over my life and see all those twists and turns in the road that have led me to where I am right now "God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform", goes the hymn, and he does indeed. I think of the story of Joseph, who suffered from many evil deeds, and yet, all these events in his life resulted in him being in a position of power and able to help others. And, of course, there are many important consequences to that story!
 This Advent journey is for me to reflect on the thoughts and challenges I pick up on the way. I certainly don't have all the answers - or even some of them. I only know what God means to me. He came into the world in the person of Jesus, experiencing all of our human condition, was put to death by evil men, and yet rose from the tomb to walk among us. He is our Hope, and he loves us, despite everything.  Have faith - all is well. 

Advent Journey: On Warmth

It's blowing a gale outside, and that wind feels as if it is seeping in through the very walls of the house. We were out the school concert, but now we are back home. Let's stir up the fire and draw near the flames. Throw another couple of peats on and we'll soon be warm. Can you see the  flames rise higher? Do you feel the heat? For four thousand years, it has been forming - mosses, heathers, grasses, wild flowers, insects all lived and died and became that rich black peat that we cut in late Spring, and dry out for our Winter fuel.

 Four thousand Summers have come and gone! Think of what has happened in that time. Civilisations have risen and fallen, new lands have been occupied, so much has changed. If we look deeply into the flames we might see pictures - think of it being like a video recorder! What part of that history would you want to see? 

Imagine if the peat that is burning now is from 2,000 years ago. The growth of the Summers when Jesus walked the Earth are now throwing out their warmth on our hands and faces. Wow - imagine if we could see him - talk to him - ask him things! Wouldn't it be wonderful? 

But, the Good News is that we don't have to go back in time to do that. He is living still - and He will come and be with us if we ask Him to. He will be like a living flame burning in our hearts, keeping us warm when the wind's of the world blow cold.

Advent Journey: On Trust

It makes me smile so much to look at this picture - taken in the Eoropie dunes one warm August afternoon. A last fling with Summer, before school went back. I remember how much he laughed and squealed with delight - running and leaping of the edge with sheer abandon - completely trusting that the deep sand would provide a soft landing. I recall too how he urged to me try it - to let go and jump. "It's just the best fun! You don't hurt yourself" he assured me. I knew that - I remembered that feeling from my own childhood. Oh - I tried, I gave it a go - I lumbered forward, self-consciously and pushed off the edge of the dune, but I held back just at the last second, and I only jumped a little way. Too scared? Too stiff? Too grounded? Yes - all these things I suppose, but that's what happens as you get older.

We have just over a week of Advent left now. The great day is drawing closer, and it's really getting quite exciting. This is the week when people will be busiest. Christmas parties, concerts, Carol singing, end of term treats, last days for posting. Time to really be getting organised now.

As I focus on my journey, I feel my anticipation growing. Christ is coming! The Nativity Story has never been so clear and relevant to me before. I am in awe at the thought of God coming to Earth as a helpless baby - born to a woman. That he lived among us, ordinary folk and experienced life with us! Later, in His ministry, He sought out and helped people on the margins of society. People on the edge, jumped into His arms with joy, while those with status and power stood back and plotted to stop Him.

The time is drawing near - I stand on the edge of that dune, and I know and trust with all my heart that when I jump, He will catch me. Ready? 1,2,3 - Go!

Advent Journey: On the Third Sunday

Wishing you Joy as we move slowly, but steadily onwards.

Advent Journey: On Vulnerablity

I've been thinking a lot about yesterday's post - especially since I received a few very supportive comments about it - here and in other places. Thank you - you have inspired me.

When I first thought of doing a series of posts for Advent - I imagined a kind of photo a day, perhaps with an accompanying sentence, or a single image. Something festive, maybe, something quick, something easy.  Haha - what did I know? Suddenly, here I am, sharing my spirituality and faith in a way I have never done before. It's not quite what I expected to happen. I have always been conscious that not everyone who reads this blog shares the same beliefs as I do, and for the last five years (oh yes), while I have tried to write authentically, I also hope I have never made anyone feel excluded. I am not in the habit of discussing politics, religion or airing my opinions on the topics of the day, in this space. So when I found myself actually talking openly about God, Jesus and Salvation, no one was more surprised than me.

As I hit the publish button, I was scared. I felt vulnerable, and still do. At first I was afraid of what everyone would think - that I would lose followers - that no-one would read it. The fear of rejection is very strong, especially for someone like me, who likes to fit in.  But along with this vulnerability, I somehow felt safe enough to step outside my comfort zone.

The original meaning of comfort is to strengthen - and I trusted that God would comfort me as I took this first step. Advent is looking forward to the Birth of Jesus, the Saviour. If anyone knows about being vulnerable it is Him. Born into this world as a tiny helpless baby, already with a murderous king trying to kill him, and knowing the temptations he would face, the abuse and the torture he had to endure, for us. But he kept on walking - right up that hill, and right out of that tomb. As long as He is with me, I am safe to continue my journey.

Advent Journey: On Growth

The garlic cloves I planted in September are now poking through the earth. It always gives me such a thrill to see this wondrous happening. Sow a tiny seed, or small bulb and it grows and becomes something completely different and amazing - and yet this is exactly what is is meant to do  I think of all that activity and change going on below the surface, roots emerge unseen, and when the time is right those tiny shoots begin to unfurl and stretch out towards the light, growing stronger every day. It really is a miracle. 

I am now just over halfway through my Advent Journey. I began, stumbling along in the dark, not sure where I would go with this. Sharing my faith so publicly is a very new and quite uncomfortable thing for me. Yet every day, I have found new thoughts and ideas to reflect upon - new aspects of the Nativity story that I have never realised before. I am beginning to feel some little shoots of growth stirring, as I read, pray and write - little blessings and insights that I now appreciate. Thank you for following along on my meanderings - your support and understanding comments mean so much. I hope to continue here, each day, walking deeper into Advent, clinging on to The Lord, and wondering what kind of seedling will emerge.

Advent Journey: On Abundance

In our Western society, we are surrounded by abundance and wealth. The shops are bursting at the seams with things to buy, cupboards and freezers are filled with delectable foods, the days are packed with activity, and the dark skies ablaze with fairy lights. Our homes are decorated and overflowing with good things as we try to bring some warmth and light into our lives during these dark, cold months.

Yet - in the midst of all this abundance, there is deep poverty.  In these times of austerity cutbacks, our children are hungry  - our elders are suffering from malnutrition - many people are having to rely on foodbanks. We can only do what we can - donate money or food, perhaps - lobby our politicians - be agents of change, and pray.

Mary and Joseph knew poverty, fear and hardship. They set off with nothing but faith in God's promises to them. They had no shelter at the end of their journey, had to beg to stay in a stable to give birth to the Baby; they were hunted and fled as refugees to a foreign country. They must have been so desperately worried - but - they trusted, and God delivered them. And through those actions, we too, have been delivered, through the Saving Grace of that Baby, who was the Christ.

Nothing is impossible for God, and everywhere in His word, are images of His abundant grace - inconceivable riches - beyond our understanding. We only must believe, be thankful and accept him into our hearts, and He will walk alongside us.

Advent Journey: On Difference

I love to hear about how other people celebrate the Christmas season.
When I was young, I imagined everybody did the same things our family did - and later, on learning of different traditions and ways of "doing Christmas" I was both fascinated and ever so slightly horrified - "You open your presents at midnight?!" " You don't open your presents until after dinner?!" "You go out to a restaurant for lunch?!" "You don't eat turkey?!" I went home to my "normal" family Christmas, safe and secure in its familiarity.

As I grew older and took on the Mrs Christmas role myself, I enjoyed keeping many of my childhood traditions, and passing them on to my own children, as well as instituting new ones.
This year is very different for us. There will only be three of us at home this Christmas. It will be strange - a quiet(ish) house - no mountains of torn wrapping paper, no-one hogging the tub as they try out their new bubblebath, no frantic basting of a huge turkey, no mad crescendo of getting everything to the table on time, no slightly tipsy game of trivial pursuit.  I don't quite know how I will feel on the day - more relaxed, probably! But it is more than  just one day - it is the gradual build up towards Christmas that I love - little things appearing here and there - decorations slowly being put in place, a growing pile of cards, exotic looking tins and packets appearing in the cupboard - bit by bit, Christmas creeps in - to our home and to our heart.

Nowadays, of course, I recognise that Christmas is held in many ways - all equally as valid as ours, and, of course many others celebrate different festivals at this time of year too. I notice, mind you that there seem to be a great many opinions out there, which are very disparaging of others' celebrations, while proclaiming their own to be perfect.  We are all here, in the dark, searching in our own way, for the Light. We can enjoy the fellowship, the feasting and the fun of as we honour our own traditions - and we should. But for me, the truth can be found on the road to that Bethlehem stable and in the empty tomb beyond.