Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday was George Loveley’s funeral. We joined the service at All Nations Church, Bedford by zoom and remembered, with gratitude, George’s life (17th Nov 1920 – 27th Nov 2020). We were reminded that he was born in 1920, he died in 2020 but it’s ‘the dash’, the 100 years and 10 days between, that counted.Continue reading “It’s the Dash that Counts”

I’ve always enjoyed nativity plays – the dressing up; creativity in turning children into cows, camels or stars; inventing characters or embellishing parts of the story (through ‘poetic licence’ or desire to give every child a part)… three innkeepers each saying, ‘No Room!’… I’ve heard the Christmas story each December – Mary, Joseph, Bethlehem, shepherds,Continue reading “No Room at the Inn”

Yesterday our church family met together for the first time – after 40 weeks of you-tubing, zooming and physically isolating. Masked, socially-distanced and non-singing some of us assembled… We remembered familiar words from Ecclesiastes: ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven… a time to weep and a timeContinue reading “Gaudete”

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?Did you knowthat your Baby Boy has come to make you new?This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you. Christmas must involve families, traditions and compulsory presents. We’re obsessed withContinue reading “Mary did you know?”

At the end of a tiring and difficult term a young teacher went to church. Many had service sheets; the teacher just got out his school timetable and spread it out. A godly elder reported this to the pastor; the young teacher was summoned to the pastor’s office to explain his actions: ‘I’ve been workingContinue reading “The School Timetable”

‘Ah, look at all the lonely people…’ The Beatles sung happy, predictable songs about love until 1966; then yellow submarines, cartoon characters… and Eleanor Rigby, their first serious song… It still resonates today. Vaccine programmes, excellent projects addressing hunger and homelessness provide for physical needs. But isolation, Christmas, hospitals, care homes… ’Look at all theContinue reading “Eleanor Rigby”

Musing on the past year: Trials: For many 2020 has been tough: illness, physical challenges, mental ill-health – stress, depression. Challenges and changes to families, friendships, employment – and those institutions that we depend on – schools, hospitals, churches, pubs….   Travelling: We’ve travelled through the unknown; familiar landmarks have disappeared; we’ve lost the illusionContinue reading “Walking Through a Lowestoft Wonderland”

Last night’s news… The Queen and ‘senior royals’ received and thanked key workers at Windsor; the Salvation Army band played the old carol: ‘Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la’ What’s this Fa-la-la-la-la…? Four theories: It’s an expression of carefree joy, The lazy songwriter couldn’t be bothered to write the words The singer wasContinue reading “Fa-la-la-la-la”

Yesterday was the second Sunday in Advent – preparing for Christmas. According to Christian tradition, a second advent candle, often called the Bethlehem candle, is lit. Throughout the Bible, Bethlehem speak of being ready for the unexpected… …Jacob comes to Bethlehem. He already has eleven sons; Rachel, his favourite wife, is pregnant. Benjamin is bornContinue reading “Bethlehem – Preparing for the Unexpected”