Reflecting ...

It’s always a joy to me when I bring the nativity scene down from the loft and set it up on our hall windowsill. 

It was the first thing I ever blipped when I joined Blipfoto on 5th January 2022 and said hello to fellow blippers and goodbye to the nativity scene for another year. This year, for the first time, I had difficulty in getting Joseph’s lantern to light and, despite having spare lantern bulbs, the connection just seemed to be loose. I decided to finish setting up the scene and try and sort out the problem tomorrow, only to find that the lantern had suddenly started shining brightly!

This is just part of the scene. The wise men are beginning their long journey over on the left hand side, and on the right are the shepherds tending their flock on the hillside, one of whom is also holding a lit lantern. I bought the set over a period of a couple of years from a stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, and I absolutely treasure it. The talented husband and wife team who made it are no longer in business, having retired some years ago.

The lights are reflecting in the window behind it, and I have been reflecting today on the first Advent email from Brian Draper, whose thoughtful meditations help to keep me grounded and holding on to what is really important at this busiest time of year. This morning he pointed out that the Christmas story begins with a demand from an imperial overlord (Caesar Augustus) and ends with a gift from the Lord of all: "For unto us a child is born."