Word in the Hand

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,  the Expected of the nations and their 
 Saviour.   Come and save us, O Lord our God. If I hear ‘How long have you got?’ one more time – someone may get hurt. Less than a week, actually…which has been the longest week of my life. Never mind the nine months that went before; the 'Yes'; the waiting and wondering; the protection  of Joseph; the comfort of Elizabeth; the knowing that there is no going back. Never mind the ever-spreading ‘everything’, insomnia and nesting urges; listening to the older womens horror stories (why do they do that?); making space; finding room; fearing that you you will be born in the dust at the side of the road. O, yes, the realisation that  soon, you will be born. Because, really, I’d be quite happy for you to stay right where you are: to carry on being ‘the Bump’. I’ve got used to being this shape; living in a pregnancy time zone; cradling your weight in my arms; resting my hands on your...

Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart.  You shall repeat them to your children and say them over to them whether at rest in your house or walking abroad, at your lying down or at your rising.

Complines Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:23  May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes Advent does not begin on the nearest Sunday to 30th November.  Sometimes, like a pregnancy, it makes itself known in imperceptable, internal movements. Movements that are sensed but not seen.  There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. (Martha Graham) The Advent journey is unique - it is a girl dreaming in the dark after the Angel has left; it is a man staring into the fire wondering if dreams can be believed; it is an older woman knowing that they can. It is whatever it needs to call you into the anticipation of waiting.   wordinthehand2011