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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Canon Ann Easter

Good Morning.

I’m the proud mother of three people, all grown up with children of their own now, but still, when we celebrate their birthdays, my children will say ‘Come on Mum. Tell us. What were you doing X number of years ago today’ because then I tell them the story of their birth and the days surrounding it. The midwives who were with me, because the children were all born at home; the excited family and friends who came to visit and how each of the babies was very much an individual from the word go while, at the same time, looking like each other and showing various family resemblances too.

My pregnancies were thankfully straightforward and, I remember vividly how, each time, I experienced, a day or two before the birth, a distinct change of pace. Somehow, I felt that my body was gearing itself up for the big push and I needed to stop doing other things and gather all my strength and resolve ready for it - they don’t call it ‘labour’ for nothing!

And I think that now, today, the day before we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we can feel a change of pace around us too. Cards and messages have been despatched, presents bought, wrapped and awaiting eager unwrapping, so I hope that we’ll feel that change of pace and that there will be moments of calm and rest now that we will have done as much as we can to make this time special.

Lord Jesus, among all the hullabaloo of Christmas, give us moments of your peace to savour the love that you bring.

Amen.