The Moon of Winter Time
Translation is an act of hope. We believe that a story can leap between contexts and cultures and from one language into another. To […]
advent
Sisters Together
Today, I stood in the rainy school playground with a Bangladeshi mum. Like me, she stands there everyday, waiting with a small boy for her […]
Always Christmas, never winter
Last week, I wrote about waiting. We all find it hard, being used to getting what we want when we want it. But waiting, along […]
Waiting
Advent is a season of waiting. And we live in a time when we’re not really used to waiting, so it can be very hard […]
The Fullness of Time
Advent should be like a funnel that focuses us invon the most important part of Christmas; renewingvour relationship with our Lord and Saviour. However, Advent competes with so much that demands our attention.
Selling Candles
The first candle has been lit and Advent begins. On Sunday night, we set our own advent ring on the table at home and […]
The Oldest Doors in Europe
I propose a simple advent. For each week, I will offer one song and one image here on the Messy Table. May these be useful […]
Needing Advent
Beangirl came home from school today, talking about the moment of silence they held for the people of Paris. Blue said he knew something […]
Apocalyptic Advent
Advent comes but once a year. That doesn’t make preaching in Advent easier. We’d rather think and worship ahead to Christmas.
Our Place
Yesterday was pageant day at our church. How can a small Sunday School fill the church with so much excitement? Bouncing sheepy children everywhere. This […]
Encourage One Another (It May Go Further Than You Think)
It was a note tucked into my wallet for over a decade. I just bought a guitar from my brother Deric, and when I got […]
Bringing to Light
“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb […]
A Mother’s Poem
Inside, you built me.
You pushed back walls, made more room for your own growing.
You demanded foundations, tested them with you concentrating feet.
You stretched up, making rafters of my ribs,
pushing into the tenderness under my heart.
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the weekend? For Christmas and presents? Are you waiting for happiness? For life to go your […]
People Look East
“Wondering whether to celebrate the Eucharist ad orientem during Advent.”
Facebook reveals strange worries in the hearts of ministers, but this one caught my eye. There’s a poetic loveliness to this idea that you don’t always see in the logistics of worship planning.
The Best Advent Ever!
Advent gets a bad rap this time of year. It gets drowned out in all the tinsel, traditions and time constraints of the season.
Jesus is worth the wait
Though the radio stations are already playing Christmas music, and Wal-Mart has gifts and tinsel up for sale (heck, Costco had decorations up in October!), […]
Storytelling Worries
I was on my way to do some storytelling at the primary school today when I ran into a friend, and so we walked together. […]