Christmas is coming. Decorations have gone up at our Seagull Theatre… the Christmas tree is up in church… we’ve been making Christmas decorations at Men’s Shed… it’s the first Sunday in Advent tomorrow.
Yesterday was Black Friday – another tradition that we seem to have inherited from our American friends across the pond. Many shops and retailers have been promoting discounts on televisions and beauty products… there’s bargains on gadgets and home appliances… we can buy Christmas presents – toys, clothes…
Thinking about Christmas bargains this morning I read Paul’s words: ‘…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ This isn’t a 40% reduction, offer ends tomorrow, type of Christmas bargain. It’s a different sort of clothing range.
Last night we went to Julian’s fiftieth birthday party. I enjoyed many conversations… a newly married couple adjusting to life together… one friend recently made redundant, has just got a job… an older gent whose wife’s recovering from major surgery… a local prison officer – his children are getting married… a life-changing relationship that started in a local primary school many years ago… a young doctor continuing his training…
Ordinary people told ordinary stories that enriched my life. We’re grateful that Julian invited us; we had a lovely evening. There was no talk about Black Friday bargains or Christmas outfits; there was a lot of compassion, kindness , humility, gentleness and patience being worn. Paul’s text continues: ‘And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.’
I was reminded yesterday of the old Bill Withers song:
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow.
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow.
Lean on me
When you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on…
With lessons from Paul, Julian and Bill I’m reminded of a Christmas bargain that’s better than any Black Friday offer. It’s a bargain that involves giving, not getting. This clothing range is available in my personal bespoke made-to-measure size…
malcolmsmusings.org 
Ordinary stories that enrich our lives – beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Malcolm!
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I think we sometimes underestimate the value of ‘ordinary’ conversations, Wynne.
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Isn’t it wonderful to be able to celebrate the successes of our brothers and sisters, offer comfort and support during trouble, or a word of encouragement to lift a spirit and inspire someone to persevere? No doubt you left that gathering uplifted yourself by the love extended from one to another. P.S. Loved the video–that Marsh family can SING!
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Thank you, Nancy. It’s good just to be there with folks, and reflect on long friendships… It’s been good following the Marsh Family – they started singing together on line during Covid.
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Isn’t is amazing that seemingly ordinary moments can have such a profound impact! God is so cool!
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It is amazing. I am increasingly aware of God’s presence in the ordinary. I think in the past although I have known the theory that God is everywhere I haven’t always expected to see him everywhere.
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His involvement in our lives is so much deeper than we realize.
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