Light & Dark

The first chapter of John’s Gospel is one of those quintessential readings we hear at this time of year. Traditionally, the last one read at a service of lessons and carols, it takes a different approach to other readings about the events leading up to and surrounding Jesus’ birth. It Read more…

The way of peace

A reflection for the second week of Advent: Peace If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs… … Do you really understand the situation? With apologies to Rudyard Kipling (and the writer of a greetings card who provided the punchline), it can feel strange to admit Read more…

Being hopeful is a choice

A reflection for the first week of Advent: Hope ‘Being hopeful is a choice.’ Where we live there is a regular meeting of the local ordained and lay ministers. It’s ecumenical: crossing the denominational lines from the free church charismatic to the Roman Catholic, the Anglican to the Baptist, the Methodist Read more…

The Christmas Post

‘Bah! Humbug!’ Ebenezer Scrooge’s comment on Christmas is one I share. It probably dates back to childhood times when excitement and disappointment both arrived neatly wrapped. I really don’t like Christmas that much: or rather the way the world (and, to an extent, the church) has chosen to represent it. Christmas Read more…

The Coming of Christ

It’s always good to have one’s prejudices challenged. This Advent, I’ve been reading Celtic Advent by fellow BRF author, the excellent David Cole. In one of the daily reflections, he writes about the hymn known as ‘St Patrick’s Breastplate’. Now, a long time ago, this was sung in a Sunday Read more…