Today's gift was a short length of rainbow ribbon.

The rainbow is possibly the best known - and most squabbled over - symbol of hope

Jews and Christians each claim it as theirs, and get hoity toity when LQBTQI+ groups adopt it as theirs.

This year, I have even seen a tiny amount of chagrin from small parts of all of these, as it has been used to express solidarity and appreciation for the NHS in this strange year.

The thing is, it doesn't belong to anyone, it is God's symbol and God's sign, a promise for all creation, not just all humans or some humans.

This Advent,  have two books on the go (as well as the Bag of Blessings, the daily Poem, Picture and Prayer, and a purely fun digital Advent Calendar) so my ribbon makes a useful book mark, and a daily reminder to 'keep hoping...'