By the wonders of advance posting (I am in Manchester graduating, as one does) ...

The readings:

Psalm 137:3

Nehemiah 2:2

John 21:24

You know that old joke about opening the Bible three times at random?  Well these verses are of that ilk...

For there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

So the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid.

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Misery unbounded, it seems... just what we don't need in the final run up to Christmas.  Yet more unjoy?  Or is it actually something about truth and honesty?

Jolly Christmas carols and songs everywhere we go... but how does it feel inside?  Are we forcing ourselves to sing along through the pain of bereavement or illness ot unemployment or uncertainty or...  Do we have the 'sadness of heart' the powerful King observed in the terrified Nehemiah?  After all, these words are true...

From fake jollity that denies reality

To real joy that transforms it

From forced smiles that fail to reach our eyes

To inner joy that makes them shine

From denial of truth

To indefatigable joy

Lead us, God of joy

Amen.