SATURDAY

With the world already preoccupied with sales, have to try hard to hang on to the spiritual meaning of Christmas embodied for me this year in the simplicity of candlelight and the words from a carol: “Hope of the world, Mary’s child, born in a borrowed room”.

SUNDAY

Rejoice that last carol service of the season is full of candlelight. Thoughts of New Year remind me of a leaflet that arrived in the pre-Christmas post about a prayer initiative called HOPE 2008. Decide to offer the congregation a last minute invitation to join me for prayer on New Year’s Eve. Hurriedly put poster up on Church notice board.

MONDAY – NEW YEAR’S EVE

Spend day trying in vain to find the carefully filed Hope leaflet. Fortunately internet comes to the rescue with information about all the folk across the nation who will be praying and lighting tiny lights to warm God’s heart as he looks down on us tonight. Although the concept is a little too anthropomorphic to my mind, the declaration of Hope seems perfect, so set off for church with plenty of copies and armfuls of candles. The fact that only one other person turns up, is a salutary reminder that hope sometimes needs to be supported by a bit more forethought, planning and action, but nevertheless the atmosphere is very special as we light our tiny lights, enjoy the silence and make our declarations. Nothing like candle-light to lift the spirit and still the soul. Return home to husband and quiet evening of home-made pizza, Chianti and Boggle. Just manage to keep awake long enough to watch the London fireworks, but can’t help thinking that our tiny lights were rather more meaningful.

TUESDAY

Spend the first day of the New Year full of hopeful enthusiasm cleaning out the greenhouse. Even manage to persuade husband to put on his marigolds and wield a mop and bucket. By mid afternoon he’s worn out, and I’m left to clear up all the things that got chucked outside, but there’s a wonderful sense of achievement when it’s done. Realise that I’ve still got the rather larger task of the shed to tackle . . . hope the enthusiasm doesn’t wear off too soon.

WEDNESDAY

After catching up with parishioners, sit down to work out a plan of action for maintaining the Hope initiative in the weeks ahead . .. . . lots more prayer and the of course there’s always the lights of Candlemas to look forward to!

Copyright © 2008 Corynne Cooper.

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