Time

by Rev Geoff Usher

Well; we’ve made i t . We have got past all the pre-Christmas rush and bustle:- the shopping; the writing and sending of cards; the opening and reading of cards received; the sorting out what to do with all the cards: stand them on mantelpieces and tables and other flat surfaces, and try to remember not to open or shut doors energetically enough to blow them over; or hang them from strings; or staple them to hanging ribbons; or … the wrapping and labeling of presents while trying to remember whether you have over-looked someone important; the lunches and parties and carol services and mince pies and more parties and tables of food and more mince pies; and the special family rituals related to Christmas; and Christmas Day itself, with the exchanging of gifts, and too much food, and more mince pies, and the afternoon siesta, and television repeats, and clearing up afterwards, and lots of dishwashing, and perhaps another mince pie.
We’ve made it. The rush and bustle calmed down, and there was that quiet holiday lull between Christmas Day/Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, and perhaps an opportunity for more celebration, although perhaps less hectic.
Think about the conversations you have had over the last week’ or two. Not the really serious “meaning of life ” conversations, but the inform al “passing the time of day” conversations with friends and acquaintances, people you have met in the street or at the shops or at social events. What sorts of things have you said, or heard?

The sermon is continued here.