The first candle was lit on our wreath, the candle of Hope. We shared in the prayers I had found, and we sang. Then Liz, Pippa and I presented the new C@StS logo and each talked a bit about our hopes and vision for Children & Youth at St. Stephen’s.
Upstairs, I read the well known passage from the Gospel of Luke– “and in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God…” the children placed the figures of Gabriel and Mary on our big blue felt board. We talked about the candle of Hope and what “hope” can mean to us and then we examined the jumble of Crêche figures I had piled together, deciding which figures should first be placed in the stable today, and which should wait, strategically positioned on various shelves and mantle pieces around the building!
This morning’s project was to each make an “Advent poster”, including the four candles, labelled with their special names-Hope, Joy, Love & Peace. We also cut out 4 golden flames, gluing one atop the “hope” candle and packing the rest in a small envelope to take home and to add Sunday by Sunday this Advent. Our time together concluded with prayers and the Grace and we headed downstairs carrying sheep for the stable and a collection of damp posters!
Sitting on the stairs with Pippa, eating my slice of cold squash galette, I had a proper look at the super card Malachi had made as a thank you for the juggling sticks I gave him for his birthday, he had done such a great job! And then it was time for the long walk home. But the trek provided plenty of time in which to sing all my favourite carols, to reflect on each aspect of the morning and especially about ‘hope”; to focus on that lovely word in the week to come- hopes for those I care about, hopes for these children with whom I get to share a magic hour Sunday by Sunday, hopes for the work of Day Camps and my own hopes for the year ahead.
Plenty to ponder on, much to be thankful for as I now light the Hope candle on my home wreath and watch it’s steady flame while eating dinner here in the quiet of this Advent Sunday evening.
“Oh come Oh come, Emmanuel…”
