“Tell out my soul!”, Mary sings triumphantly. Her song isn’t just a series of lovely quotations. It defines the meaning of Christmas. That expresses the joy of a mother over her expected son and also the purpose of his birth. Beyond the present celebrations, a new meaning to all our lives is given.
Advent acknowledges our world’s brokenness but still has hope for God’s future. There is something honest about the season of Advent. Amid the literal darkness of winter and the metaphorical darkness of the bad news that fills our media, the Christian Church still hopes. Not because of something we are, but because of who God is.
Our hometown isn’t just something outside, it’s within us. It’s not just a place, but our routines and habits, attitudes, beliefs, opinions, prejudices, assumptions, identity, and values. But what happens when someone comes to our hometown and says, “Follow me.”?
The ITV drama ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ tells the true story of the Post Office Horizon computer system scandal which spans more than 20 years. But the real events and drama point to a question for any of us: ‘What do we do when systems fail?’
What is your Compass? ‘Compass’ comes from Old English and French, and is based on the Latin word – compassus – meaning: a circle or circuit, a limit, a way, or a route.
Prior to COP 28 the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgiva, called for an end to an attitude of “business as usual” if the world wanted to manage global warming. Beyond ecotastrophe can a more inspiring vision motivate us? What about the concept of eucatastrophe created by Tolkien?
The phrase ‘King for a Day’ and the tradition of April Fool’s Day are intertwined. Jesus rules a Kingdom with no borders to defend, no soldiers to defend it. It is a kingdom that inverts our very understanding of power. But it’s no joke.
