birth and death

There'll be withdrawal symptoms after today!

This morning saw me along once again at the Royal High for the last of the Christmas assemblies. This time the first year pupils. The Rector did her bit first of all, then I spoke aboout the wise men and the distance they were prepared to travel.

The pupils were remarkably quiet and well-behaved. First year pupils, last full day of term, Christmas week, and snow falling outside - the mix was there for a riot! But no, they listened well and gave me their full attention.

Mind you, they may have been a bit intimidated by the crowd of 'suits' today. The Rector had invited a host of other 'dignitaries' along (FPs and the like) to share in the occasion and then to have a coffee in the Board Room afterwards.

So I was there for a good deal longer than normal. Enjoying the coffee and chat. And meeting what may well be the only supporter of Falkirk FC in the whole of the school!

This is a week when a lot of preparation must be done at the front of the week. Thursday brings a couple of extra services, Friday we have our Christmas Day service (and the rest of the day is out so far as preparation is concerned), and before you can blink your way through boxing day ... it's Sunday again.

So If I'm not all organised by Thursday afternoon I'm in trouble! It's a short week.

I've tried to get down to some of that today. But I've been out and about as well with people to see.

One of our members died. And another's really pretty much at the end of her earthly life. I was in to the Nursing Home again to see her and one of her two daughters who was there.

Both her daughters have their birthdays this week, one either side of Christmas Day itself. And their mother's not likely to last the week.

Their births: her death.

Birth and death alike finding their centre around Christmas Day. There's a lesson for us all in that.

The Child who was born would live with the shadow of his comng death cast back across each day. And by that death which he would die he opened up the way to life for all who'll trust in him.

Birth and death.

His birth: and our birth into newness of life

His death: and our death in him to that old way of life.

It's my prayer that Christmas will mark for many a new beginning.