Groups in our church seem to have alliterative names, and in emails etc. are often abbreviated to their initials.

This afternoon two groups shared a lovely, lively time of fellowship involving copious amounts of tasty festive food followed by a cornucopia of Christmas carols.

CC is composed of church folk, who enjoy a good blether over a cuppa on a Wedesday morning. FF is a very long-standing, in different guises, out-reach group, welcoming whoever happens along on a Friday afternoon. Joined together, it was a very joyful occasion.

For me, there was something quite heavenly about this afternoon's gathering, which was very loud, and slightly chaotic, if only because everyone sat round a table with no 'top' or 'bottom' sharing food and mugs of tea foreshadows the eschatalogical banquet.

This evening I am in 'proud minister' mode.

Part of the Wilton Diptych, an art work commissioned by Richard II of England, and in which he is depicted as kneeling before the infant Christ.

The detail shows angels in a vareiry of poses, all clad in a rich blue, and badged with a white hind/deer, the insignia of Richard II.  All the nagels are fair-haired - whether blonde or auburn, Saxons or Celts, is debateable - reflecting the context in which it was painted.  All the angels are female and are wearing necklaces, they are crowned with white flowers. It's the facial expressions and the arms/hands that intrigue me.

Behind Mary, stands an angel with arms folded and a face that suggests mild irritation; next to her on the left a very tall, slightly haughty looking angel, whilst to her right stands one with a look of mischief on her face.  I find myself wondering what they are thinking, what whispered conversations they might be sharing, and how they are feeling.

I like the idea that, outwardly uniform and regimented, these angels are individuals with unique personalities.  I like that very human emotions are expressed.

I wonder which angel you are drawn to in the image?  I wonder why that is?

Thank you, God, that we are all different,

That we may react differently to any given set of circumstances

And yet are still part of your 'big picture', your story.

As we stand with angels, watching Mary with her son,

Draw us into the hope, love and joy of that moment.  Amen.

This painting - and variants of it - must be one of the most famous, even iconic images involving an angel.  certainly I have seen it on countless Christmas cards over the years, and know someone who had not one, but two copies of it hanging in their home.

Fra Angelico was beatttified by Pope John Paul II, and made patron of Catholic Artists.  I am sure this tender portrayal of Mary and the angel was influential in that decision.

It seems Fra Angelico was a mendicant Dominican friar, who employed his skills as an artist overtly as Christian service.

Does this image differ, in some way from those painted by people whose work is not informed by Christian faith?  If so, how?

How does our Christian faith inform our own work, in whatever sphere that may be?

Perhaps also images such as this, purloined by greeting card manufacturers give us pause for thought about the cards we select, and the underlying reasons.  There isn't a 'right' or 'wrong' answer; overtly Christian images are not inherently 'better' than robins or reindeer, snowfolk or anything.

Creative God, thank you for own unique gifts, whatever they may be.

Help us to recognise how we serve you in the everyday,

And how, through us, you bless others.

At this season of sending and receiving greetings cards,

May we enjoy the choices of others for us,

And may we aso choose thoguhtfully those we send.

Amen.

By Scottish artist John Duncan, this is St Bride being carried by angels from Ireland to the Holy Land (demonstrating that Blake's 'Jerusalem' is by no means the only twaddle that gets perpetuated! ;-) ).

It's a lovely, vibrant image, rich in colour and detail - look at the scenes depicted on the angels' robes, or the face of the seal, or gulls who seem to me to be smiling!

St Bride - St Bridgid - St Bridget - appears all over these islands, perhaps most notably in Ireland and Wales, where she supplants a pre-Christian guardian of wells who has the same name.  In our age of clean water at the turn of a tap, and high tech taps able to deliver either chilled or boiling water according to our demands, it's hard to imagine how significant Bride/Brigid/Bridget was... and still is in many parts of the world today.

She no longer comes in supernatural form, but in organisations such as - but not limited to - BMS World Mission, Christian Aid, Operation AGri, and Water Aid.  Tube wells, irrigation schemes, sanitation projects, long-drop toilets... all 'good news' brought by messengers of hope, often in the name of Christ.

We can enjoy the myths and the mystery, we can delight in amazing art, and we can give thanks for the work of real life Brides in our own time.

'The Wounded Angel' by Hugo Simberg, a Finnish artist whose 1903 painting is set in Helsinki.  The landscape would have been recognisiable to viewers, who would have known that adjacent to the park were homes for blind children and for children with physcial disabilities.  Two healthy boys carry a girl angel with bandaged eyes, using a simple stretcher type device.  The angel holds a small bunch of snowdrops - a symbol of healing and rebirth.  The artist offers no interpretation of the painting, leaving that entirly to the viewer.

I think what strikes me most is the accusative expression on the face of the boy looking out of the painting.  That it is somehow my fault that he has been forced to assist in carrying this wounded angel through the park.  Am I, somehow, responsible for her injuries?

If angels are God's messengers - human, animal or supernatural (bear with me!) - then what injury arises when we fail to listen to, receive or heed their messages?  Does our cynicism, scientific rationalism or other sophistication bind, cripple or otherwise hinder those who bring good news?

And, if the angels can no longer see or walk, who will be conscripted to carry them to a place of safety and welcome? Who will take up their song, or pass on their message?

Lord God, have I, in my sophisticated, scientific certainty wounded your messengers?

Wounded Christ, have I, willingly or otherwise, been chosen to carry your messenge?

Gentle Spirit, show me how I, in my own woundedness be carried to safety, renewed and made whole

Amen.