Today's Sunday School led service was great fun (even if two of my ideas for next week are very similar to two of those today!) and included a moment of deep thinking for me.

At one stage we asked to think about a gift we would like to give to someone real or fictional, living or dead, if we could give them absolutely anything.

I sat for a few moments unable to think of anyone or anything.  Then began a rendition of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' on a French horn, one of the few pieces of Christmas music that really pierces my soul.  And so it did, I suddenly found myself thinking of the gift I'd love to be able to give, and the person I'd give it to... each utterly impossible.  I wanted to give to L (as representative of many women I've known and still know) a cure for secondary breast cancer.  It was pie in the sky, wishful thinking, bad theology probably, but it was so.

I am so grateful to Sunday School for creating a safe space for me to dream an impossible dream, and express something I didn't even know I needed to express.

One day there will be a cure.  One day L and others like her will live long, full, happy lives.  Until then, in my prayers, my awareness raising, my peer support and my charitable giving I'll go on doing what I can to bring 'one day' a little nearer.

The third Sunday on Advent, the best excuse to listen to Steeleye Span, if one were needed!

Also for us Sunday School nativity service followed by Sunday School Christmas Party so lots of joy in those.

And for me it's dress down Sunday as I'm not up front other than briefly, the day I deliver my church Christmas cards (and hope I didn't miss anyone) and a chance to remember, with gratitude the first Christmas Play I ever saw, on 19th December 1968, which was when I  first knowingly encountered the story of God revealed in Christ, and knew, somehow, this story was true...

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man, I would do my part

Yet what I can I give him - give my heart

Three challenges that I'd like to think are part of my everyday life anyway.  But the honest response is to try to treat everyone equally, becuase my best efforts are never quite successful and some end up being more equal than others.

Half way!

One of today's challenges is "against my religion" (not Christian or Baptist, mine) - putting up decorations before my birthday.  NO, NO, NO not doing it!

One that's already been done this week - singing carols. Although regretably I missed the Coffee Club carols and coffee morning, I have sung carols this week.

So it's the last one, reaching out to others... which actually I am doing every day of Advent in one way or another, but is good to be reminded to do so on a Saturday when I see fewer folk.

Which do you fancy...?

At this afternoon's fellowship meeting, people mostly older in years, though some in their 40s and 50s, for the devotions/epilogue bit, I invited them to tell me the Christmas story as it unfolds in the gospels of Luke and Matthew.  It was fascinating to hear the contributions, see the leaps in the narrative and the way that scripture and tradition are eleided in people's minds.

The kind of theme that emerged was around responses to fear... we noted that that

• the angel told Mary not to be afraid, suggesting she probably was
• Joseph's initial reaction suggests fear
• the shepherds were told to 'fear not', so they obviously were afraid
• Herod is described as being afraid

We noted also the responses...

• Mary was afraid but she said 'yes' anyway
• Joseph was afraid but he did the 'right thing'
• The shepherd's were afraid but they went to see if what they'd heard was true
• Herod was afraid, and allowed that fear to give way to anger, hatred and murder

Being afraid is normal, natural, everyone experiences it. What matters is what we let that fear do to us... will we give way to anger, hatred, revenge or attack, or will we choose the path that leads to life, hope and a future...

It was a great afternoon, a blagged reflection, and brilliant engagement/interaction.