24th November 2021

Advent will soon be with us; that time of waiting for the joy of Christmas. Which makes it sound such a still, even a calm, time. Like waiting for a bus, perhaps. But it is also a time of preparation and so much of that seems hectic, stressful, draining and requiring the strategic thinking and the diplomatic skills of an international negotiator. I also feel that this is something each year that I do to myself; I want to sing Christmas music in evocative venues, I want to see my family, I want to celebrate with my friends… How hard it seems to be to get the balance right; to find the time and space to reflect on the deep meaning of the incarnation as well as celebrating the love and joy of relationships. I always seem to err on side of trying to fit in too much activity and not enough time to stop and listen.

I don’t want to pretend that have I found the answer to this conundrum, but I have found the routine of life at Tyndale has been helpful. For instance, last week I felt that I was trying to do far too many things at once and none of it with much success. I found myself at the time@tyndale communion; a simple, short service and truly a communion with friends as well as with God. It was just what I needed at the time I needed it. Thank God that such blessings can be in the ordinary things.

Nick Parsons