Changing plans

Well they did forecast snow! My phone rang at 8 this morning and it was the steward at Boroughbridge giving me the weather situation. We decided to cancel our covenant service. This took some phoning round as it was also a joint service with the Anglicans. But it was sensible to keep everyone safe. The steward at Allhallowgate then also rang to ask we cancel the evening service. So no services at all for me to take today! That sermon took ages to write :)

I put my walking shoes on and walked to Allhallowgate who still had a service this morning. 13 of us were led by Keith Phipps. We all sat on the front two rows. There was a convivial atmosphere and it was lovely to receive today unexpectedly. Keith led us with some reflections on Matthew chapter 1 and 2 of the coming of the Christ child and its setting in history, of a journey of the magi and the threat to Herod. It struck me as Keith shared the number of times in the story plans have to be changed. The magi have to follow a star to an unexpected place. Joseph has many dreams and has to respond. Herod is rattled by a rival king. The holy family can’t return home quickly and have to settle in a foreign country. 

Snow disrupts us. We look out of the window and it looks pretty. As we walk out in it, people speak to us. We share an event. And church this morning had a party atmosphere! There was a lot of laughter! Bethlehem was not where the story should have ended. And as we enter 2025 maybe major things will thwart our script. I never expected to have a preaching free Sunday even though the weather forecast for this area was dead right. We maybe even got more of the white stuff than was expected. 

The snow has come on the eve of the Epiphany. I was going to a service marking that this afternoon. Remember that story has an ending about a different road. Maybe having encountered God, like snow, we have to make different plans or let what has been meticulously prepared for go. 

A light is guiding our path— we need to set out upon a conscious spiritual journey. One that we never expected to take. We need to become the Magi. Load up our metaphorical camels and set out across the landscape of our soul to where it is that the light appears. 

Keep warm. There’s more snow coming overnight!