David and Gareth write more on this.
I share their sadness over this whole thing as I do not think there is a need or a point when we can instead be excited and focussed on the exciting mission opportunites that we have before us.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we stopped trying to work out who is out and who is in, or who I should work with and shouldn’t … and just get on with the mission that God has called us all to together!
Last night I met up with good friends Darrel and Gary to talk about Christmas Eve at St. Marks. Sarah’s plan is to set up certain Bethlehem scenes within the church and she has asked us three to be the wise men. Of course, those of you that know the three of us will fully understand that we are being type cast here!
People will mill around the church, talking to Shepherds, the inn keeper, the wise men and others as we look back and remember that year when the King was born.
If you are in the area, why not pop in?
Tom and I watched The Nativity today.
It was a well made film with lots of thought invested in the characters that we actually know little about.
I was particularly struck by a theme of fear operating in the background:
the fear of Herod losing his throne
the fear of Mary’s parents that she would be stoned for being unmarried and pregnant
the fear of Mary for her task
the fear of Joseph with ‘will I ever be able to teach him anything?’
the fear of Mary and Joseph as they look for a place to stay in Bethlehem.
I wondered of God was ever afraid that this might not work?
I was also struck by the simple faith of Mary and Joseph, the courage they displayed, and the way that these two learnt about each other on their journey to Bethlehem as they came to grips with what was happening. There is a poignant moment in the film when both Mary and Joseph share their fears with each other. It’s then that we are reminded that these are just kids. Kids chosen for an amazing task.
I remember hearing a few times that Jesus took a real risk investing in 11 shady characters called the disciples. There was no plan B with the spreading of the gospel. That may have been a risk.
But the real risk was in the incarnation.
God making himself vulnerable, at the mercy of a young girl and man who would need to care for him until he could care for himself.
There was no plan B.
What if they were not up to it?
What if they could not cope?
What if they decided it was all too much?
This was the real risk.
It’s amazing to think of.
God in the flesh.
An insignificant start for the most significant baby ever born.
The King of all born for all.
Divine born ordinarily to save the ordinary.
It’s an unbelievable thought!
Unbelievable and true!
… I know this because a Ryan tradition happened today.
We went to Bluewater and split up with each of our children having their money to buy presents for various members of the family. Initially I walked around with Joe (which drew abundant looks of ‘aww cute’ from shop assistants that he paid) who knew exactly what he wanted and then did the same with Beth after we met up for a coffee.
Amazingly the news reports seem to be right. Bluewater was relatively quiet, most shops had massive sales (one with 80% off!) and the kids picked up a few bargains for brother/sister/mum/dad. While there I popped into the Apple Store and wished I had more money. (If anyone is looking to sell a macbook give us a shout!)
Tomorrow Sarah, Beth and Joe are off to watch Wind in the Willows while Tom and I are going to watch a film together and we may check out The Nativity.
As you can see, few changes are happening with how this looks. This is a last ditch attempt to stay with blogger! All suggestions welcomed!
I have spent the last couple of hours playing with bits of html code and just seeing what happens. It’s been quite fun!
Things will keep changing until I am happy, but in the meantime, if anyone knows how I can get a picture of mine behind the ‘shiny headed prophet’ title that would be very helpful!
It’s been a good first day of the holiday where I had some surprises.
Surprise number 1. After having an eye test I was told I do not need glasses. A surprise because a year ago with another optician I was told I should buy some as my left eye was weaker but I decided not too as I did not think the 5% weakness warranted spending money. Today the optician said I would need glasses within 5 years but that as one eye was only slightly weaker there was no need at the moment.
Surprise number 2. Walking down Gillingham High Street I bumped into friend Pastor Mark! We had a great little chat in the middle of a foggy High Street. It’s always good to meet people unexpectedly.
Surprise number 3. My children are quite nice really! After spending a day with them I have started to remember this important fact.
Surprise number 4. There is life away from my keyboard and the virtual world! Today I have finished tiling, fixed drawers, delivered presents, walked down the road with my children, played PS2 football (very badly).
Surprise number 5. The Blogger changes do not seem as good as I expected. I can change how my blog looks but lose all my links, books and CDs. Trying to put them back using HTML seems to be harder than in the original, or classic, blogger. I am bored with how this blog looks so I might have to think a little more seriously about moving to typepad and …. paying! But I’m tight so I will have to think very hard!
Surprise number 6 … I’m actually contemplating paying to host my blog!
This has been in the news quite a bit over the last few days and summed up by Dave over at cartoon blog.
It’s the season of peace and good will – unless you want to take an opportunity to be divisive of course which is what this seems to be.
Tom Wright responds well here and it’s very well worth a read.
Today was my last day of work for 2006!!
I haven’t taken enough holiday (I enjoy this job too much!) and need to take it now, which still mens i carry someover to 2007!
Today I had a great journey to head office with Sha and the journey always seems shorter when you are not driving.
There are soem photos of the lunch here if interested …. don’t know why you would be!
This poem by James over at Sunday Papers sums up the wonder of the incarnation.
This weekend I finally got around to joining Amnesty which I have been meaning to do for years!
One particular campaign they encourage their members to do is to send a card of greeting and encouragement to an individual who is in danger or unjustly imprisoned.
The Shiny Headed Prophet 