“Lighting the First Candle of the New Week
The Candle of Hope; hope springs eternally”.
Please God, hope is one of the realities that endures all the trials and tribulations that life brings. Sometimes it is the only thing that stands out as a beacon of light. On Saturday last, the workshop prepared and lead by our children’s liturgy groups was simply outstanding – a true godsend, but also reality. We are so dependant upon a small overworked group crying out for help.
As part of their liturgical commitments, they had prepared a prop reminding us of the homeless sleeping rough. When I was in the church saying a quiet prayer of my own, I was so, so moved, the figure in the tent appeared to be breathing.
This is where I appear to never learn, because they had put so much work into it, I took it for granted that they would leave it there for Sunday morning. Their understanding “the sanctuary”, the sanctuary would be too full, cluttered up. But what a powerful statement; what a powerful reminder, putting the homeless, the deprived at the centre of our concerns …… the heart of Christmas.
We are blessed to have this team.