Today's poem returned to the theme of the annunciation, with a poem called Annunciation by Gwyneth Lewis, which I posed some years back here

The image is part of the Jesus Mafa series, which I came across more than a decade ago.  This African art seems to express the progression described in the poem.

The prayer...

God of uncomplicated simplicity, and intricate beauty,

Glimpsed in the everyday scenes of domesticity

As much, if not more, than in high renaissance art,

Open our hearts and our minds to fresh insights,

New wisdom and renewed wonder

As, once again, we ponder the old, familiar story.

Amen

I received a message from someone who has discovered this blog asking if it was possible to 'follow'.  I did reply, but, due to an incomplete or mistyped email address, it bounced.

The short answer is, I don't know how to set that up, or even if it's possible on this platform - but thank you for your message and I hope you continue to enjoy this blog.

Today's item was a tiny tube of bubble solution... the one in the bag had somehow got damaged and was empty, a moment of disappointment.  Because I had a couple of back-up bags 'just in case' I had another chance - and spent a happy few minutes blowing bubbles.

What I could not have anticipated is how much the cats would love the bubbles.  Let's just say that Santa Paws has been asked for a bubble machine...!

That's about the level of this week's gifts - just a bit of fun!

Today is Gaudete Sunday - 'Rejoice' - the day of the pink (rose) candle, and a little lightness of spirit.

The gifts this week are meant to be a bit of fun, lighter, more playful, as we journey onward to Christmas.

This morning our Sunday School led a very joyful and engaging nativity service on Zoom.  Nativity services are always fun, always precious and always have moments of unexpected... and this was no different.

Hard to believe that we are moving into the third week of Advent, but we are.  Whatever your week may hold, may there be moments of joy, fun and laughter.  

Today's gift is a single 'serving' of bath/shower gel and an invitation to take some time for self-care.

Sometimes, if we are honest (or if I am honest anyway) care for self is squeezed out by good, maybe even necessary, busyness.  Certainly many of my clergy colleagues are currently running on fumes because they are working crazy hours, and there is a tendency to dismiss that as 'just Advent'.

I am reminded that God invented rest, not because it's nice (though it is) but because it's necessary.

I have a lot to do today, as will anyone reading this, but I will take time - make time maybe - to be, to rest, to be refreshed... and if not a long bath/shower, then at least something that is explicitly self-care.