I didn’t lead worship today,  a first for a number of years, I took the day off, a gift from Sheffield Methodist Circuit who offer their ministers an extra day every quarter ( 3 months). I didn’t lead worship, but I did worship with gladness and generosity ( the current Holy Habits focus), and with my whole self.

I worshiped in relationship with my two youngest children, they are almost 30, but still my babies…

I worshiped as I remembered my mum, who didn’t have a faith, but had love, and loved Christmas for the hope it held, and holds

I worshiped as Jo, Jon and I decorated my house,  many ornaments evoking memories gone by and love shared.

I did not engage with the usual themes of advent in the traditional sense, and yet I encountered both grief and hope in our day out, along with the shoppers we saw many homeless people, and I am struck by how easy it is to simply ignore the pain and presence of poverty among us, most people rushed by unseeing, I don’t want to say uncaring, but I am challenged again by the fact that this is simply normal in 21st Century Britain. 

My home is now full of light, there would have been times when I would have declared it to be too soon for Christmas decorations, by the light we see, light brings comfort and hope, my hope then is that while I have the luxury of a warm home and food, that I won’t be blind to the need and pain of the world as it groans and waits for a different time, a time when all will be made new, and I am reminded that here and now I can, and must be a part of bringing that to fulfillment.

Oh and for a bit of fun, this years silly ornament will be worn by me! Who can resist brussel sprout earrings ?