Under the Spotlight

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Yesterday afternoon we watched the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company’s, ‘Magic of Christmas’ show at Snape. The publicity material said: ‘Prancing reindeer, rocking Santas, a moving nativity scene, toe-tapping music and dynamic dancing are set to delight audiences…’ They most certainly did.

Eighty-five excellent young people, all under twenty-one, were under the spotlights, singing and dancing in a show with spectacular costumes and amazing choreography that demonstrated the work of great teachers and seriously talented young people.

Image: Co-op Juniors

King Charles put himself under the spotlight yesterday in a televised speech:

‘In the midst of this festive period, I just wanted to ask you to join me today in finding a special place in your hearts, and your minds and your prayers for the hundreds of thousands of people across our United Kingdom who receive a cancer diagnosis each year – and for the millions more who love and care for them…

Throughout my own cancer journey, I have been profoundly moved by what I can only call the “community of care” that surrounds every cancer patient – the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives.’

Image: PA

Yesterday’s ‘Lowestoft Journal’ shone a different spotlight:

‘More than 500 children arrived in Lowestoft in December 1938 in search of safety from the Nazis and a new beginning.

And now memories of the Kindertransport and now the plight of desperate youngsters is being told again through a moving exhibition and Lowestoft railway station.

A Thousand Kisses, an acclaimed exhibition, shares the experiences of eight children who escaped Nazi persecution and arrived in the UK without their families…’

Image: Lowestoft Central Project

Sometimes it’s good to put good things under the spotlight; sometimes it’s necessary to put bad things under the spotlight…

My faith often puts me under the spotlight. This morning, reading about practical faith that avoids prejudice and discrimination, included: ‘Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.’

This morning I’m musing, shining the spotlight, on talented youngsters, cancer sufferers, persecuted refugees… and me.

Image: Bible.com

10 thoughts on “Under the Spotlight”

  1. Wonderful sentiments.

    However, I hope the gracious people who took those desperate children in in 1938 didn’t all need a promised reward in an afterlife.

    I think acts of pure altruism very rare as we all, whether we like to admit it or not, feel pride, or even smugness, when we do good things. Actions such as taking unwanted stuff to charity shops, buying a poppy, donating online to various charities all make us feel a little bit better. They may also assuage any guilt we feel because we can and some others can’t or don’t.

    My thoughts certainly go out to the King and applaud him for speaking out about his cancer.  Hopefully it will encourage more men, and even women, to not take little differences in their bodies lightly.

    Take care

    Ahava ve Shalom

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    1. I think that in 1938 there was more of sense of duty alongside altruism. Whether there were any thoughts of the afterlife I haven’t a clue.

      I certainly meet many good people. I wouldn’t like to judge their motivation.

      I thought the King spoke really well last night.

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      1. Actually, I think I must take back what I said about altruism. I have just commented on Nextdoor about some scam or other. I wrote “Most people have an instinct to help others.” That is altruism. If a stranger asks for help most of us immediately go into rescue mode. Yes, altruism does exist.

        Thank you for getting me to rethink my pessimistic view of the world Malcolm.

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