I was worried about 'letting go' - that has so far proved a little easier than I expected, though I keep remembering things I intended to do and which somehow slipped through the net. I guess the world won't collapse and folk will understand.
I do wonder though if anyone has advice about how to put those things out of my mind? I realise a few of you reading this have been deeply influenced by a Buddhist approach to life - I would be really interested to know if you have any wisdom to share.
Briefly touching the Advent theme - I have so far spent too much time waiting (and I haven't even begun traveling yet!) - yesterday waiting for a plumber who didn't show and today the alarm service guy who thankfully has arrived as promised. A lesson in staying calm....
On the plus side I have already managed to spend time in my beloved Northumberland and used some of that to start reading a book about St Aidan. Against the backdrop of places I know and love it has offered me some challenge and inspiration for the next weeks. The author narrates the life of Aidan on Lindisfarne with references not only to the spread of the Celtic tradition of Christianity starting from Iona (last visited on a sabbatical 14 years ago) - but how it confronted the Christian tradition spreading from Rome (tomorrow's destination!). Then out of nowhere he inserted the story of my hero St Martin of Tours as one who inspired Aidan. All of a sudden the wealth of tradition, practice and the span of history hit me and I realised just how many connections I am going to make.
Which makes my next thought a little ironic - how do I disconnect from such a connected world? I thought I had logged out of or diverted most of my regular communication channels - only to discover that one device was still very much logged on to Facebook. I must admit I enjoyed a sneaky peak - but I am genuinely trying to avoid contacts with 'normal stuff'. Perhaps it is not possible and to be honest I don't want to become isolated but it is an interesting exercise nonetheless.
Then a surreal moment - I have just discovered my radio is broadcasting wall to wall Christmas songs - 'Smooth Xmas' is apparently back on air! The whole business of preparation for my sabbatical has skewed my sense of time and I cannot grasp how imminent the festivities actually are - so found it really rather odd. But, I must say I am enjoying the music!
I am however determined to avoid Christmas carols - at least the traditional, sentimental ones - as much as I can. As years go by I find I have less and less patience with the sanitized version of the Incarnation story they portray. They stem from an interesting but dubious pseudo-historical portrayal. I am sure we can find a new song to sing which may not make us feel quite so warm and cosy but might just get us closer to a real understanding. Meanwhile bring on Slade, Lennon and Wizzard et al ... some sentimentality I can cope with :)
Back to Aidan - his story provokes many questions around recognizing and following opportunities that are laid before me. I hope there will be many in the next few weeks and suspect they may lead to big changes.
God ever before me
God protecting behind me
God strength on my right
God power on my left
God supporting beneath me
God uplifting above me
God in love enfolding me
God within me and about me
God with me always (David Adam in 'Flame in my heart' St Aidan for today)
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