Sunday 29 November 2015

Pause In Advent 2015 – #1

pause in advent

Please don’t misunderstand me here, I love this year’s Christmas stamps from Royal Mail. It is great that pictures illustrating the Bible story are being stuck on envelopes and winging their way across the land. But the more that I look at the 2nd class one this year, the more I am questioning it.

xmas-stamps-2

What’s wrong, you ask? Surely this image of Joseph and Mary [not forgetting the little donkey] plodding along the dusty road to Bethlehem is absolutely fine. We’ll be getting pictures like this on our cards very soon, we always do. But this year it has hit me very forcibly, I am not sure it was like this at all. Look at Luke chapter 2 again…

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, with Mary…

I don’t think they were walking alone – there must have been hundreds of people making their way south, just as this young couple were. I am not saying that later on, fleeing from King Herod, Mary, Joseph and the baby would not have made the journey alone, and at night, as they sought safety in Egypt – but surely this trek to be registered was something they were all in together. They would have walked with others from their community, giving mutual support and encouragement. And maybe the picture on the stamp should look more like this

refugees

Lord, forgive us, that as we wrap gifts, and put marzipan on the cake, and post our greetings cards, we so easily forget those thousands who are trekking across the world in search of a safe place for their families. They do not want Christmas treats - a John Lewis Telescope, an M&S jumper, or a Lidl 5-bird roast… but shelter at night, clean socks, and daily bread… the simple things we take for granted every day.

Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or ill or in prison, and did not help you?” He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

16 comments:

  1. I agree with the principle but feel that the mail is not the place for politics. Along with so many people I do what I can throughout the year. The food bank gets a regular trolley full. I donate to the Salvation Army for their Christmas appeal. Ant decent items that I do not want go to charity or the local homeless centre. I am not brave enough to take a stranger into my home but will have my single neighbours in over the holiday period. I often invite them round for meals as it is, it is as beneficial for me as I hope that it is for me.

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    1. I agree that the mail is not the place for politics. And ye, I agree totally, that we should do what we can on a daily basis throughout the year. Each of us is in a different position when it comes to our ability to give to charity - sounds like you have thought it through well. Every act of kindness counts - however small or large.

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  2. Bless you Ang. This is a really valid point well made. We must not forget these people desperately searching for shelter & safety.

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  3. A very interesting point. I suppose the other travellers were not as important as the parents of Jesus so they faded into the background.
    Carolx

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    1. I think that is it - the artists who painted the pictures never considered the others on the journey, just the Holy Family!

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  5. Brilliant thoughts which may make their way into my Christmas script!!x

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  6. Excellent and astute ? Thank you.

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  7. Perhaps they were super organised and were the first ones to leave? Remember Mary is heavily pregnant to so takes a long time to waddle anywhere, so maybe they were all in front lol
    X x

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  8. Great thoughts this morning, Angela!

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  9. There are refugees everywhere and always have been. I can't imagine how it feels to be forced out of one's country because of all the violence, anger, and greed. We live in a very fallen world.
    Thank you for hosting Pause this year, Ang.

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  10. What a very powerful post you have made here - a lot to think about.

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  11. So true - we need to remember those around the world who are struggling.

    (Perhaps Mary & Joseph were alone because everyone else had already got to the inns, and booked all the rooms!)

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  12. A very powerful post....Is it too late to add my name to the list of "A Pause in Advent"?

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  13. Not at all Meggie -glad to have you joining the list!

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