Strangely mesmerising… the brilliant scarlet is eye-catching, but I keep looking at the golden “thread” round the centre of the flower. I don’t know enough botany to know what those bright yellow strands are for- something to do with pollination, probably- so my eye treats them as a decoration! The picture become a glorious pattern. Spotting “golden … More Golden Thread- Look, See, Pray
I’m guessing that you’re all sorted for the big day by now, so here’s looking ahead slightly. (If you’re not sorted and you’re panicking, look back to the last couple of posts for loads of instant ideas, crafts, talks and printables). New Year’s Day is in three weeks and you’ll be too busy photocopying emergency … More Advent 3 + Hannukah + Epiphany
Get Ready, the King is Coming! No, not Elvis, sadly. Although I’m sure he’ll feature on the Boxing Day TV schedule between re-runs of Bake-Off and a Carry On quadruple bill. Instead, (and no less thrilling) here’s the text of a sermon I preached last week on the theme of Get Ready, the King is … More Advent 2 – Get Ready, the King is Coming!
In the village Museum, high in the Austrian Alps, I came across this dramatic crib scene. Beautifully modelled, it catches something of the harsh realities of the life of the artisan people of Israel. Not a palace, not “picture-perfect” but featuring houses with cracked walls and very humble status. When we construct our “model Christmas” … More Austrian Crib- Look, See, Pray
Going out with a bang- a cherry tree exhibiting a last blast of intense colour before the winds strip the branches bare. So striking, it looked more like a curtain of fire than leaves. The season is changing quickly. There is a temptation to try and carry on as if minor things like weather and … More A Curtain of Flame- Look, See, Pray
One of my most popular Advent resources is the awesome, magnificent, fantabulous Advent Flexagon. Click the link to get the PDF and video. But now there is more! Yes, you heard that right – another printable, foldable, colourable Advent yummy. This time it is based on the ever-popular fortune-teller / cootie catcher. I present to … More Flip-Flap Advent Story Teller
Devotionals are always popular for Advent. Here are a few you might like to look at. The first ones are for families and children, the later ones for adults. And look out next week for a fantabulous new Advent Craft, perfect for your Messy Church, schools work, afterschool event, Christingle or whatever. Just print and … More Advent Resources – 2
Yes, I know. You’ve barely done Harvest. Remembrance isn’t for another couple of weeks. But if you are planning a Nativity Play this year, you’ve been looking for scripts since June. (OK, maybe not quite June.) Whether you need a script for 60 small children, for a boisterous youth group or for a full church … More Advent Resources – Part 1
Exciting News! My new book, with top publishers DLT (Darton, Longman & Todd – anyone else old enough to think of Dave Lee Travis? No. Just me then) has a publication date of 27th Jan and … (dum dum duuum!) they’ve given me a discount code! Watch this space for news of how to get … More New Book! + Advent 3: Matt 11, Isa 35, Ps 146
Gentle Reader, Please forgive a slight departure from today’s lectionary texts, but this post from fellow ACW member Steve Dawson smacked me round the chops like a damp haddock, and I felt it right to repost her, in its entirety. You’ll find plenty of Advent links below and your liturgy resources at the the bottom. … More Advent 2 & Lullaby
The Reflectionary 