Quite a busy week this is turning out to be in St Mary’s.
This morning it was off into work first thing to try to meet a photocopier engineer who was booked to provide healing and balm to the weary machine which serves us so well in our regular task of bringing God’s kingdom one step closer by printing just one more booklet at a time. In the end Mr Engineer did not arrive until later than expected, which meant him getting a little tied up in liturgical preparations.
Being in early meant that I was able to get ready more or less on time for the 9.30 Sung Mass for the Feast of St Stephen. Smoke, candles, modern plainsong and a very spirited rendition of Good King Wenceslas made for a great liturgical start for the morning. It also made me remember one of the best nights we had at the LGBT group earlier in the year when we looked at Stephen in a Bible Study. A young man who had the face of an angel, killed in the midst of prejudice, who seems to have just wanted to serve the people of God along with his mates. Stephen seemed all too familiar to us when we did that study.
A quick bit of adoring the Baby Jesus in the manger came next of course, for we must not forget that though the world has moved on to the season of Creme Eggs, Christmas does actually last for 12 days and we’ve a lot more adoring to do before we are done.
Then, as soon as that was done, it was time to get ready for Mary and Neil’s wedding, which was lovely.
Personally I do like to see a bride and groom coming down the aisle together and that was what Mary and Neil chose to do to start their celebration. They had made so many choices to make the wedding their own and it was lovely to be there with them as they celebrated their life together with families and friends.
All in all a joyous day.
Sounds like a fun time! Talking of Creme Eggs, I saw *mini*eggs on sale yesterday. Am unsure if this is a good thing, allowing the faithful to consume them guilt-free before Lent kicks in, or if, like Creme Eggs, they should only be consumed post-Easter.
I’ve a fear that there is a problem with trying to sell the idea of eating a creme egg as an act of virtue whatever its size and whatever the date, Ryan.
Your post gave me quite a turn – Bishop-elect Kevin married MY Neil and Mary 10 years ago! (You would have approved – clouds of smoke, much swirling of golden cope, great music)
My youngest, who is a supermarket manager, tells me they put the eggs out because there is no room behind the scenes to store them. With the ‘Xmas’ (sic) stuff off the shelves, there is emptiness in the shop. this is conveniently and inexpensively filled by allowing what would otherwise be more expensively warehoused out into the shop. If we only eat fewer chocolate eggs, we would be spared them until later. Sad but true. Or so says he.
Pete and I walked up the aisle together, it was one of my favourite moments of the wedding – everyone stood and clapped (it was rather informal, no processional), I loved it.
Would have hoped for much Valentine bits and bobs, inclusively of course, before the egg bonanza!
The only real purpose of creme eggs is to provide the sugar rush necessary to keep everyone awake between the Vigil and the Sung Eucharist on Easter Sunday, surely?
yes, though welsh cakes with jam and clotted cream do keep one going in a more classy fashion.