It's funny (or maybe it isn't) how, as the years go past, dates that were hugely significant fade from memory, to be replaced by others.  Had social media not reminded me this morning that it's 17 years since I made my ordination vows, I would not have remembered.

Ministry is definitely something you should only enter if you are 100% convinced it's God's call because otherwise you wouldn't survive, let along thrive.

All these years down the line, it is still the case the the best moments are so much better than I could ever dare dream, and the worst moments so much more awful than my worst nightmares.  Fortunately, there are far more ups than downs, highs than lows, but it still a very weird role!

Today, I slid my 'ordination ring' onto my hand knowing that I will 'pay for it later' once my finger swells and the lymph struggles to get out again - but just for one day a year, that's OK.

Thank you to the congregations in Dibley and at the Gathering Place who took the risk of calling me and allowing me to serve you.

This morning we opened the second envelope from our boxes, and discovered a message about love.  This week, we are invited to enjoy some self-care as well as thinking a little bit about love.

In the service we listened carefully 'for tidings of comfort and joy' in words from the book of Isaiah.

This evening, I'll be leading a gentle service called 'A Quiet Christmas' aimed especially at people who may find this Christmas difficult.

This week's focus has been on hope and hopefulness.

Lights that shine in the darkness - whether candles or stars...

Rainbows of promise and chains of interconnectedness...

As week one of Advent draws to its close, hope is a precious gift to carry with us into the days ahead.

A calendar tab for 2021... a new year, with new possibilities.

All life is a gift, every day is precious but, if we are honest, in the humdrum everyday we often don't think about it.

I wonder what you are hoping for in 2021?  I wonder what gives you hope as you approach the gift of a new year?

Today's poem is Darkness by Alan Payne, which you can find here.

The photograph is on Kelvin Bridge, Glasgow, though, to be honest, there are many such lamps in the city, mostly (or only? I haven't checked) on bridges over the River Kelvin.  Most of my walks at the moment take place in darkness, and these lamps are always a welcome, friendly, landmark on my way.

The prayer...

God of night and day,

As this first week of Advent draws to its close

Help us to discover once more

That, though you are hidden from our sight,

You are present, even in the deepest, darkest night,

And so to find our rest in you.

Amen