鲍鱼tv

A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Rt Revd Mary Stallard, Assistant Bishop in Bangor.

Good morning,

At a recent local Christmas fair someone had the brilliant idea of setting up a large nativity scene under a gazebo, and offering a big box of costumes, so that anyone could dress-up and take 鈥渟elfies鈥� of their family or group around a cardboard manger.

This was offered as a free attraction and drew quite a bit of interest. People of all ages seemed grateful for the opportunity to take part in something fun that didn鈥檛 cost money. There was quite a queue around the dressing-up clothes. And there were touching moments as some of the adults remembered how as a child they鈥檇 been eager to be allowed to be an angel with tinsel wings, or perhaps to be Mary, or some other character - but often they鈥檇 had to make do with a humbler role instead. It was great to see them finally getting the part they鈥檇 wanted, and it was wonderful to see different people inhabiting the story and bringing their own personality to the traditional scene. It seemed to bring a lot of happiness.

What struck me as so clever about this activity is the way it mirrors what the whole Christmas message seems to say: ultimately for Christians the birth of Jesus is all about inclusiveness and participation. The nativity has a strong message about a God who longs for connection, who comes to be fully part of the story of humanity in an unexpected way, so that each of us can know that we鈥檙e loved and accepted, and all can find our place in helping to tell God鈥檚 story of hope, joy and peace.

God of all, as we prepare to celebrate the good news of the birth of Jesus, help us to find and take our part in sharing the message of your generous love and welcome for all. Amen