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Three stories yesterday… Her Majesty the Queen’s Christmas message: She’s had a difficult year… the adverse headlines that Prince Andrew and Prince Harry have created. She spoke of the death of Prince Philip, bereavement, Covid, sadness… She focused on the birth of four great-grandchildren, the joy of happy memories, the hope, potential and opportunities ofContinue reading “Elizabeth, Stephen and Desmond”

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,God of glory, Lord of love;Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,Opening to the sun above. Today’s Sunday song is from Sister Act 2. I love the energy, enthusiasm and joy of the young people that breaks through the formal church religion… Musing… I often think about hope, compassion, faith… but joy?Continue reading “Christmas Joy?”

It’s Christmas Day… Santa has been down the chimney; excited children have rushed down stairs; some will let their hair down today; some, on holiday, will enjoy down-time; some will go down to visit friends or relations – Down at Christmas Some will be downhearted; some will be down on their luck; some are downContinue reading “Down At Christmas”

Yesterday we saw ‘The Railway Children’ at the Seagull Theatre. It was an excellent production. I didn’t see the 1970 Jenny Agutter film; I didn’t read the book… I will read it soon. Seeing the story for the first time… enjoying good strong acting from local young people in the leading roles… It’s the storyContinue reading “The Absent Father”

Many families develop Christmas traditions. What must be done each year… decorations going up… films to be watched… opening presents… Christmas dinner… stories from previous Christmases… There’s security in being part of repeated patterns. Yesterday I was chatting with Maurice. Mother-in-law will be with them on Christmas day. The rest of the family prepare bingoContinue reading “Christmas Traditions”

This morning my Bible reading was 1Peter. I read: ‘When the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive a crown of glory…’ We were brought up to treat Sunday as a special day. We put on our best clothes, went to church… more cakes for tea… There were certain things that we could and couldn’t do.Continue reading “Sunday Happy Families”

Last night we met up with grandson-Zak and granddaughter-Hannah. Zak’s home after his first term at university. It was good conversation – friends, events, questions, laughter… it’s been 3 months since we last saw him. He’s changed. His family have missed him… ‘Welcome home, Zak.’ Musing… we all need a home… Home’s a place of…Continue reading “Welcome Home”

Winners! On Friday we learnt that Helen Morgan had won the North Shropshire bi-election for the Liberal Democrats. Saturday saw Rose Ayling-Ellis win Strictly Come Dancing. Last night Emma Raducanu won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Before they could become winners they had to make a start. Films have shown a very youngContinue reading “First Steps”

Since the day the angel cameIt seemed that everything had changedThe only certain thingWas the child that moved withinOn the road that would not endWinding down to BethlehemSo far away from home This old Graham Kendrick song has been part of my Christmas musings for many years. It tells a story that I know. IContinue reading “Thorns In The Straw”

In yesterday’s Sun: ‘A naughty panda sparked panic after escaping from its enclosure… Officials had to push back a crowd of excited zoo visitors as Menglan, a young male panda bear, cheekily made a dash for it. The dramatic escape took place at Beijing Zoo in the Chinese capital Beijing on Wednesday… Menglan was luredContinue reading “Escaping Pandas”