I have just made writing these thoughts inside day two of Advent. It is 11.35pm and I have been in Manchester all day. I encountered with my friend Louise, the amazing Christmas markets all over the city centre. It felt more like December 23rd than December 1st. The stalls were full of food, food and more food and people were having fun and indulging. I wondered what all of this says about people and this season. Since when has Christmas become a time to stuff ourselves silly, when God came in poverty? This picture was taken at 5,30pm on Market Street just off Piccadilly Gardens. Shoppers going home, laden with stuff. I wonder if part of what we need to do this month, without being killjoys about it, is remind people that happiness might not be bought, and that satisfaction in life might be more than eating to excess.
God of good things, it is brilliant that in these weeks people will party and have fun and do community and share outings as families. Remind your world that all we have comes from you, but forgive us when we over indulge, when we buy more than we need, when we think love can be bought. While people in this country live in poverty, challenge us about our need for things in our lives. Your Son came into the world with little comforts. And if like shoppers on December 1st we get stressed over presents and lists of things Christmas must have, remind us somehow of simple joys.
Amen.
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