St Patrick's breasplate. I recall learning this when in my teens.  I loved it then.  I love it now.

The idea of binding to (or around) oneself the name of the Trinity, which is strong, faith in Christ, which is powerful, and so on, is an incredible image.

It's tricky to find contemporary imagery that captures the essence of the breastplate - somehow a stab vest or bullet proof vest, which would be a literal equivalent, doesn't really help me much.  Even binding, for some, has very negative connotations.  However, the idea of binding as a protective covering - whether it's a bandage on an injury or a cover on a book - is actually a very positive image.

To wrap myself around in a cocoon of God's grace, mercy and love - that seems a good idea, a positive image on a world of fear and danger.  Perhaps it's like swaddling a baby, of wrapping up warm on a cold winter's day - both of which are quite appropriate images at this time of year.

Today the books offers us, for prayer, an extract from St Patrick's breastplate:

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the three-in-one and one-in-three.

I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith Christ's incarnation, his baptism in the Jordan river, his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way, his coming at the day of doom, I bind unto myself today.

After a bit of hunting, I 

This afternoon I went with two friends to the Purrple Cat Cafe in central Glasgow.  Most of the cats were asleep most of the time.  Even so, we enjoyed a tasty afternoon "kittea", some god chat and managed to photograph a fair few kitties.

Advent can be a bit like that, I guess - we set out with ideas in mind and then it's perhaps not quite what we expected.  This doesn't invalidate it, or mean it is lesser, it's just different. 

It was lovely to spend some time relaxing with friends, entertaining to watch such cats as were awake playing, fun to play 'spot the cat' as they have all sorts of hiding places, and good to chat.  The afternoon tea was tasty - and the scones ENORMOUS, so much so we took our, not exactly tiny, slices of cake home with us.

Whatever Advent might look like this year, hopefully when we reach it's end, we can look back and say, yes, that was good.