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Yesterday afternoon I walked along the seafront. The previous day the sky was blue; many were out trying to walk off their Christmas excesses. Yesterday the sky was grey, the wind was strong. Hardly anyone else was out. On the South Pier it was difficult to stand up. I walked back. Horizontal rain was comingContinue reading “Blowing in the Wind”

On Monday hundreds took part in the Lowestoft Christmas Day swim. It’s a good annual event that raises thousands of pounds for charity. I’m still amazed at the hardy souls who swim in the North Sea most days, all the year round. The exceedingly cold water is certainly a shock to the system! They sayContinue reading “A Shock to the System”

Yesterday… …We went to our Christmas Day church service. There were carols and prayers. Children and adults showed off their Christmas presents; others talked about their family Christmas traditions of not opening their presents until later… We lit our fifth advent candle and remembered the gift of the Christ-child – and how he brings usContinue reading “Christmas Gifts”

Over the past four weeks throughout Advent I’ve mused again on the old story, on prophesies and pregnancies, Nazareth and Bethlehem, angels from heavenand ordinary people with problems, God’s plan and human confusion… This Christmas morning, a day that will be filled with activity, I pause, and gather with others looking in at the manger.Continue reading “Round the manger – with Bishop Graham, Mary and Fred”

Come and lay your head upon my shoulderLook outside, the stars are shining brightEven though it’s turned a little colderWe can light a fire, stay inside Hear the angels sing, hear the angels singHallelujah from aboveSinging peace on Earth, there’ll be peace on EarthIf we open up our hearts and give a little love ThisContinue reading “The Greatest Gift”

Strength and vulnerability this week… On the news there’s been Storm Pia – we’ve seen the strength of the winds, and the vulnerability of those who have experienced power cuts, fallen trees or stormy seas. Yesterday should have been my ‘Singing for Health’ group. It was cancelled due to a spate of Covid infections amongstContinue reading “Strength and Vulnerability”

Last night we watched and excellent production of ‘You Are Special’. The original story by Max Lucado, adapted as a musical stage production, was presented by a talented group of local youngsters. Our programme introduces the story: ‘Every day little wooden people named Wemmicks, go about their lives in the Wemmick village, and on theContinue reading “You Are Special”

Originally written as ‘Père  Martin’, by Reuben Saillens… retold by Leo Tolstoy as ‘Where Love is, God is’… I return to ‘Papa Panov’. On Christmas Eve, an elderly shoemaker, Papa Panov, is alone in his shop. His wife has died, his children have left home. He reads the Christmas story and sleeps. In a dreamContinue reading “Papa Panov”

In advent we return to a familiar story, familiar themes… Reconsidering love – the love of a mother for her baby, the love of a husband for his fiancée and her baby that isn’t his, the love of God for his world, our love for God and each other. Yesterday… …I collected my new glasses:Continue reading “Reconsidering Love”

Two local shows have been billed as a ‘Christmas Spectacular’. Thursford: ‘Our Christmas Spectacular is an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It’s a fast-moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites. With a cast of 130 this is the biggest Christmas show ofContinue reading “The Christmas Spectacular”