Go here for a gentle, thoughtful telling of the nativity and beyond...

An informal photo taken after the graduation ceremony today... more will follow in due course, including, possibly, me with snow falling all around me!

It was a great day, many thanks to G & G who came as my guests, and renewed an acquaintance from their youff darn sarf.  Also to the lovely people at LKH who included me in their celebration lunch despite me being a direct U of M student.

By the wonders of advance posting (I am in Manchester graduating, as one does) ...

The readings:

Psalm 137:3

Nehemiah 2:2

John 21:24

You know that old joke about opening the Bible three times at random?  Well these verses are of that ilk...

For there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

So the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid.

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Misery unbounded, it seems... just what we don't need in the final run up to Christmas.  Yet more unjoy?  Or is it actually something about truth and honesty?

Jolly Christmas carols and songs everywhere we go... but how does it feel inside?  Are we forcing ourselves to sing along through the pain of bereavement or illness ot unemployment or uncertainty or...  Do we have the 'sadness of heart' the powerful King observed in the terrified Nehemiah?  After all, these words are true...

From fake jollity that denies reality

To real joy that transforms it

From forced smiles that fail to reach our eyes

To inner joy that makes them shine

From denial of truth

To indefatigable joy

Lead us, God of joy

Amen.

Today's readings:

Psalm 38:4

Exodus 11:14

Matthew 5:21 - 22

Yet again we are landed with some rather 'odd' readings, devoid of cheer, and riven with what I am coming to recognise as 'unjoy'... The psalmist is overwhelmed by guilt, Moses murders and Egyptian and Jesus equates snide remarks to murder... The only saving grace, is, I think, the gospel, which reminds us that the inner attitudes are every bit as significant as the outer expressions... Moses murder is not worse than my muttering...

Unjoy through the world

Until He comes

To change our hearts and minds

Til then we mutter graceless words

And grumble loud and long

And call each other names

And wish each other ill

And loveless thoughts pervade our minds

Joy in the world

For he has come

To change our hearts and minds

To love our neighbours as ourselves

To pray for our enemies

And try to live in peace

And speak and be Good News

Until the Kingdom in fulfilled

(Amen)

Does not quite fit the tune, sorry!  Got an extra line from somewhere, oops

Yesterday I was preparing a communal, interactive reading of Luke 2 for Christmas Day.  I just need you to know this cos once you've watched this viedo you will think I copied (and adapted) the idea.  Independent zapping by the Spirit I assure you!

HT ASBO Jesus