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.

Today's poem is Annunciation by the Scottish poet Edwin Muir.  This well-loved poem is widely available, e.g. here

The painting by Fra Angelico is also very well known, and seems to connect quite well with the images evoked by the poem.

Here's the prayer...

God whose Messenger met Mary,

As we recall this familiar, mysterious, unnerving encounter,

An extraordinary intervention into an ordinary day,

So the artist and the poet invite us to gaze deep into the eyes

Of those you send to us - angels in disguise perhaps -

And then to make our own response...

Help us have the courage to say, 'yes'

Amen

(No, I didn't know it was a 'thing' either)

Thought I had better oblige.

It is a fundraiser for the charity Save the Children, so I made a small donation.

Looking forward to our own Christmas Jumper day(s) on Zoom!