Are you feeling festive?

Do you start quite early or only feel festive when everything is done?

Maybe you don’t feel festive. Maybe this year you are not quite feeling it.

Maybe you never do.

If we look at the reason for the season, Mary and Joseph didn’t feel festive either. Both had been surprised by the events that unfolded. Both had been forced to uproot themselves for the sake of a government decree.

What followed then was a time of uncertainty and a journey that would land them in a different country until it was safe to return.

Despite the visits of angels and shepherds and the wise – they didn’t have decorations, a tree or time to shop.

Many people may be thinking about how they might celebrate this little bit of time we have together over the next few weeks. Whether we get fully into the festivities or whether we visit family and friends, we pray that this will be a time of reflection and celebration.

As Advent gets closer to Christmas – the church recognises Love coming into the world, recognises the joy and hope in a new life born in the world and the peace that comes from one intent on sharing all they had for the sake of the world.

This year, we pray for hope in a world where hope is sometimes hard to come by. We pray for love to shared and joy to be seen in the lives of those we care for and those who need it most.

And above all – wherever there is conflict, upheaval, stress, anxiety or illness – we pray for God’s amazing Peace that is beyond all our understanding to be in our hearts and homes at this Festive time.

Have a Joy-filled Christmas and we will meet again in the New Year.

Amen

 Photo by Guille Álvarez on Unsplash

What is it about names? What’s so special about them?

In centuries past, names described us – either the family we belonged to or the role, the skill or the part we played in our community.

Names like Smith, Fletcher, Cooper and many more described our skills in the community.

Titles were then added to our names according to the status that were given – Lord, Esquire, Lady, Countess. Some of these can still be found in online ordering systems – especially shops like Harrods and Liberty!!

But what about our names – the names were given, the names we choose for ourselves.

Whether it is a professional name, a personal name or nickname.

In the deaf community people also have sign names that are special and unique to them.

Maybe there is a story behind your name?

Our names speak of our identity – to ourselves and to others.

Maybe you have considered what your name means to you.

Maybe you’ve considered what you want others might call you and what that means.

I am Dominic to my parents, Dom to friends and Rev Dom to hundreds of children locally.

A friend at school used to call me Donamic, whilst an adult friend called me Damien for ages.

Maybe you’ve been at a meeting or a conference when they’ve got your name wrong, or written it wrong on a badge, or introduced you in a way that you wouldn’t have chosen.

What is it about names?

Jesus called people by name. He used their names to speak to them about deep things.

It feels like he knew everyone’s names.

He spoke confidently to Zaccheus in the tree who needed to be forgiven.

He spoke calmly to Mary in the garden when she discovered his resurrection.

He spoke clearly to Peter to set him on a path to begin something amazing.

Names speak of belonging. Of knowing people and addressing them with respect and value and concern. Names help us feel known and heard and understood. They convey safety and trust.

In a moment of stillness let us recognise our own name and the names of those we love – those who come to mind instantly – those who need to be seen and loved.

In a moment of prayer let us be reminded of those who God created this world for, that Christ died for, and that the spirit seeks to bless.

O lord you search me and know me. You know when I sit or stand, my work and my rest, my words and thoughts and deeds.

Where I go, you are there, your strength and protection and love and care are with me.

I am wonderfully made, I am made in your image.

Remind us of our identity that is blessed by you.

Support us to see the amazingness of others and know them by name.

Bless us with your spirit that we might offer your blessing to others in our care.

Amen.

I was enjoying the weather recently and after enjoying a lovely sunny afternoon and a warm evening, I watched the sun go down. 

A small part of me was sad that a beautiful day had ended but I was hopeful as I knew the sun would rise in the morning.

There are times when we are enjoying life, when the sun is shining and things seem to be going well. We enjoy these times but often spoil our own joy by worrying what the next season will hold. We forget that come what may, the sun will come up again in the morning.

It is important too to remember that when the days are gloomy and that life, like the clouds, are grey and heavy – the sun will come out again soon.

In the Bible – Jesus asks us to consider the birds of the air and the flowers in our gardens and reminds us that if these are well kept for by God, then so will we. If they don’t need to worry about tomorrow because of God’s love, then God’s love will be there for us way more than the flowers and the birds.

The night may feel long, cold and endless. But the sun is coming.

The stars may be covered and the light be clouded. But the sun is coming.

Lord God, 

As we enjoy the sunny days of life and the warmth of your love in good times, we thank you. As we work through grey days and long nights, remind us that the sun is coming and we can have hope. As we look for the light to dawn, may we look for you in our lives. May we have faith that you hear and answer our prayers. 

Amen.

It’s been a very unusual weekend.

Set aside the weather – from pouring rain on Saturday to bright warm sunshine on Sunday and then warm drizzle on Monday.

I wonder how the weekend was for you?

Did you watch the Coronation? Did you find yourself caught up with the celebrations, were you following the news, looking at the pictures or did you venture into town?

Did you celebrate at home? Did a street near you close for a party, did you see the bunting and the flags?

The Coronation was an interesting moment for the nation. Although people were divided over the need for it, the cost of it, the reason behind it – it did do something that not many other events achieve: It inspired communities to celebrate together.

In neighbourhoods near us, dining tables and chairs were brought into the street and food was prepared for neighbours as if they were friends. In Churches, tea parties were organised and doors opened to the wider community. 

When do we do that normally? When do we go to that extent to celebrate? Christmas and Easter are celebrated as families, Summer barbecues encourage friends to get together, but not a lot of other events encourage us to share with neighbours and encourage those we live near to come and meet the street.

Maybe we should do this more often? Maybe barriers would be broken down? Maybe communication and community cohesion would grow between us? Maybe our streets and neighbourhoods would benefit it ways that we couldn’t dream of?

When we meet together and eat together, something special happens. Jesus knew this, Jesus encouraged this and Jesus encourages us to keep doing this. Set out a space and invite people in. Treat them as special guests regardless of who they are to other people. Show care for others and watch as community, fellowship and faith grows.

May you be inspired to plan for the future something that brings people together in a positive way. May God bless you as you seek to know and show love for your community and your social networks. May the Holy Spirit encourage you in all that you do. Amen

Hello Everybody

This week is Empathy Week in schools.   

Empathy is a skill we can all try to learn to help us get close to understanding someone else's point of view. A way of considering the things that are going on in their lives before making judgements about how we would act, what we would say, what our attitude would be in the same situation. 

This week we will be encouraging our students to consider what Empathy is and what it might look like in their school days. For the younger ones, it might involve how we can act kindly and think of others before ourselves. For our older students it might be how we react to other people's words or behaviours in a more mindful way. 

Here's what the Empathy Week organisation say about it:

Empathy is a vital skill that allows us to:

• navigate, communicate and work alongside others.

• understand another's perspective.

• connect emotionally with others and the world around us.

• better understand ourselves, our own backgrounds and bias.

• navigate an ever-changing world.

• increase our own personal and professional wellbeing.

• avoid and resolve conflict - something we will all encounter whether we like it or not.

As a final thought from me, I have read a lot of the work of an American Researcher - Brene Brown. In some of her work, she challenges people to think of others like this:

Imagine the person you are cross with, frustrated about, disappointed in. Imagine for a moment that they are trying their best today. That they are doing what they can to get through today. 

It might not be your best, or what you would choose, but it could be their best today. 

Given that it's their best today, how can you respond to them in a more patient way, a more generous way, a way that gives them the benefit of the doubt. They are not maliciously trying to ruin your day, they might be doing the best they can today. 

This week, let's encourage our young people and their parents this week. Let's show skills in empathy when we can. Then let's give ourselves the benefit of the doubt too, that we're trying our best today and that we can do what we can do - we don't have to be perfect. We just need to try our best. 

Advent is a time of preparation.

We count down the days, we ready our homes and we change things.

We change our decorations, we change our mood, we change our focus – often to family and friends and fun. 

As you prepare for Christmas – 

What will your focus be on? 

What do you want your Christmas break be like? 

What changes do you want to make?

In church our Advent candles help us prepare – for us they represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Jesus.

Why not consider what you are hoping for in the year to come, why not practice for a few minutes every day creating a moment of peace, why not do something that brings someone else a moment of joy, why not consider who you can tell how much you love and appreciate them. The love of Jesus is in all of these things.

Lord God, 

Send your spirit of HOPE into our lives.

Bring us PEACE – in our world and in our hearts.

Spread JOY in our communities.

Help us to share LOVE for each other.

And may JESUS be seen in everything we do this Christmas. Amen

Have a good Christmas, and see you in the New Year.