Here we are … ten days before Christmas. When I was growing up nothing happened for
Christmas before December 16 … because December 15 was significant for other
reasons. As a small child Jesus’ birthday and mine would become gloriously confused so
nothing happened in our house for Christmas until my birthday had passed. Even when I
was too young to tell people the date of my birthday, I would always tell them it was ten
days before Christmas.

Ten days till Christmas and the prophet cries:
Water in the wilderness, blossoming land,
springs for thirsty ground, pools for burning sand!
Ten days till Christmas and the prophet cries:
Dry lands rejoicing, the desert flowers,
beautiful as fertile fields, see God’s power!
Ten days till Christmas and the prophet cries:
A path for God’s people, no going astray,
all danger and sadness, chased away!
Ten days till Christmas and the prophet cries:
Courage for the fearful, strength for the weak,
the blind, the deaf, the mute will see and hear and speak!
Ten days till Christmas and the prophet cries:
Return, rescued people, come to God in song,
in everlasting joy, stay where you belong.
Ten days till Christmas and what do we cry?

(Adapted from ‘spill the beans’ 33, p34)

As we wait patiently during this Advent season, may we seek to build a road that moves us and others towards peace, where compassion for others and sharing the good news is our goal. May we walk with one another as companions on the way, and find there, one of us, among us, Emmanuel.
Blessings – Rev Heather.