An advent poem

Winter definitely isn't my favourite meteorological season, but I think Advent possibly is my favourite liturgical season. Advent is filled with so much imagery which resonates with my sense of faith: images of light shining in dark places; images of a sense of anticipation and that there is so much more still to be revealed; images of trust, of promise and of hope.

While I love the one and am not a massive fan of the other, it does work for me that, here, Advent and winter coincide. My faith is not one which seeks to deny the darkness; it is one which recognises that God's promise comes into the midst of our messy reality. It is a faith of starlight, candle-light and fairy-lights: that while the dark is still there, fragile lights flicker and somehow manage to make everything more beautiful. My hope is not some naïve belief that everything will magically all turn out ok, but that in some mysterious way we will never fully understand, love does still triumph over hate. 

This poem attempts to capture something of those sentiments.

Shrouded in darkness
Winter comes
Weighing 

Damp and heavy on the earth

Huddled together
Exhaling clouds of breath

A whispered invitation

To tilt our faces

Look up

The dark is still dark
But as clouds part
Winter sun breaks through
Pale but promisingly present

The dark is still dark
But casting its warm glow
A candle flame flickers
And pierces the gloom

The dark is still dark
But twisted into branches
Colourful lights twinkle
To raise a smile

The dark is still dark
But reaching across time and space
Stars, bright and burning, shine
Pinpricks of light in the night sky

An intake of breath
The glimmer of a promise

Look up

The dark is still dark
But gestures of love stubbornly sparkle
An invitation to trust 
To cling to tentative hope

And so
with bated breath
we wait

together

in hushed silence

Dawn breaks
And the spring will come

Look up

Love is a Rebellion

Back in the summer I wrote about Stories of Hope and Home's latest performance, on stage at the Birmingham REP, "Love is a Rebellion". Six months later, I am still incredibly proud of everyone involved in devising, writing and performing this incredibly powerful piece.

While it isn't quite the same as seeing it live, we are celebrating International Migrants' Day by making it available to watch online:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbvEMb3XzMs

One of the things which has been particularly precious about this year's play is that it has had a life beyond the performance day itself, special thought that day was. In the months since, we have been able to share the piece with different people in a number of different ways: we performed it to 150 teachers on an INSET day, used it as a vehicle to structure the sharing of stories on our residential with primary head teachers, and did a 'play in a day', helping a group of Year 9 drama students perform it to younger students in their school. We are looking forward to further opportunities to share it with others to help them understand the realities of seeking sanctuary in the UK.

The song from the show, "Love is How we Rebel" quickly became something of a theme tune for our community and, again with help from Birmingham REP we were delighted to be able to record and release it. You can now stream it in all the usual places you listen to music, and after a somewhat faffy process it now has synced lyrics so you can even sing along too! 

Our performance from the previous year, In the Shadow of the Trees, is also available to watch online.

Answers (10)

 44) What is my life's purpose?

Some of the questions in the jar feel relatively manageable ... and then you pull out one like this! Interestingly, a similar question / conversation came up at our weekly bible discussion recently. 

There are so many things in my life which I really believe are things which I am meant to be doing. Things which give life to me and which, I believe contribute something positive to the world around me. I have written previously about vocation, and I do believe both teaching and my work supporting people seeking sanctuary are part of my vocation.

But life's purpose, that's something different. Something infinitely bigger but, ultimately simpler. Deep down, I really believe my life's purpose is simply to exist. To live my life to the full. To be me, as authentically as I can. 

As simple, and as complicated, as that. 

45) If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would it be and why?

It is probably a cop out, but the honest answer would really be none. While I know that for many people pets are a hugely significant part of their life, it doesn't really hold any appeal for me. I'll stick to soft toy animals instead of real ones I think.

46) What fictional character do you most relate to?

I'm not sure if I really relate, but the fictional character I feel I have most often been compared to is Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh which is a nickname or association I have picked-up periodically in different settings and among different groups of people so perhaps I should accept the appellation and run with it. Tigger comes with a reputation for boundless energy and enthusiasm, and being completely unique which in both cases I mostly feel I can generally live up to, (despite this year having somewhat taken its toll on my energy levels and optimism at times). Like Tigger, I am also lucky enough to have found, and to be loved and accepted by a wonderful community of friends who are all very different but who accept me just the way I am.

47) What are you most grateful for?

I have so much to be grateful for ... to narrow it down to one thing doesn't seem possible or, more importantly, even right. Periodically, I keep a gratitude diary and make a point, each day, of noting down something(s) I am grateful for. It is a valuable discipline: a reminder on the good days and the harder ones that I always have things to be grateful for, a reminder that so many of those things are tiny and often pass us by barely being noticed. But if I do have to choose, and sum up the one thing I am most grateful for, it would be love: the love I am privileged to be given by so many wonderful people, the love I am privileged to be able to offer.

48) What was your best birthday?

The one that stands out, really, is my 30th. In April, midway between Matthew's thirtieth and mine, we hired out a youth hostel for a weekend and  invited family and friends from all different parts of our lives to come together and celebrate with us. There was a walk in the countryside, bright sunshine, and lots of good food, there were quizzes and silly games, late night conversations, and lots and lots of cake, there were reunions with old friends and a bringing together of people who had never met each other, there was a beautiful community and the knowledge I am very loved. My actual birthday was much more low-key but on (or close to) it, I gathered friends for a picnic in the park. The sun shone again, I do love a picnic and, as we prepared to move on to our next adventure, it brought together many of those who had been important to us during our two years in France.