on seeing church through the eyes of a five-year old

One of the things I miss during lockdown are class visits from primary schools. Often we’ll have 60 fidgeting five-year olds squashed into the pews, wide-eyed and excited by a trip out of class. Vanessa and I talk to them about what they can see. They’re always curious about the old pulpit, the brass eagle lectern and that strange machine in the corner with all the tubes sticking out of it.

We burn some incense, which provokes a lot of theatrical coughing, and explain how smelly congregations used to be in the old days and that incense was a way of sweetening the atmosphere. We show them the churchwardens staves, not much used these days, but historically used to keep order in church or prod awake the odd snoozing parishioner during the sermon — a practice I’m all for reviving! We’ll gather around the font to talk about baptism, pouring water while we do so. And then we sprinkle them, to much uproar and a lot of delighted squeals.

And we’ll talk about candles, which are lit before their arrival. We explain how necessary they were in the days before electric light. Many churches kept them afterwards, not just because they’re pretty, but to remind us of something important about Jesus, the light of the world, who leads us through life’s dark patches and shows us the way to live. Or as the old man Simeon in the temple put it when presented with the Christ child, “A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2.32). Happy Candlemas.

on how to be an ex-president

I am writing this just before the inauguration of a new American president, in which Joe Biden will be sworn in as the new incumbent of the White House. I’m praying that day will pass smoothly. Some of the nations’s former presidents will be on-hand to witness the ceremony. However the oldest living ex-president will be absent.

Jimmy Carter, who was in office from 1977-1981, is now 96 years old. After some recent falls he is too frail to travel to Washington. A committed Christian, the thing for which Carter is most proud about his time in office is that, during those four years, the USA never fired a single shot in conflict. But it is out of office that I think he has really shone. 

Determined that he would never use his status as a former president to enrich himself, he instead moved back to his home in Plains, Georgia, to resume a down-to-earth life: including teaching a regular Bible Class at his church and volunteering a week each year to build homes for those who needed them.

The Carter Centre, which he and his wife Rosalynn set up, has worked across the globe to resolve conflicts and eliminate disease. They have been instrumental in dramatically reducing the incidence of Guinea worm disease, which now looks set to become the first disease since smallpox to be eradicated globally. I do hope Jimmy Carter lives to see that happen. 

For me, he stands as a great example of Christian values put into practice for the benefit of others, for which the words of the master in Jesus’ parable of the talents seem apt: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

on feeling weary

Doing nothing can be so exhausting! There’s a real weariness that can arise from life in lockdown, a slow seeping away of the energy needed to find constructive things to do. Even those who have not been ill with Covid-19 are finding that it can be hard to sustain concentration on anything for long. And without being able to gather together with others, so many of the things in life that are stimulating or enriching are currently out of reach. 

The one thing we can do - indeed must do - is take care of ourselves. A nun, who has spent her life in the lockdown of a cloistered religious life, advises that having a daily routine is key. Creating a structure for the day, a timetable even, where getting up, eating, exercising, prayer, work and leisure all have their rhythm. I’ve been using the opportunity to phone up old friends and have a good long chat, something I realise I used to do a lot more before the days of email, texting and social media. It’s crucial not to become isolated. 

The Irish poet and priest, John O’Donohue (1956-2008) wrote a blessing for one who is exhausted, which includes these words: 

You have been forced to enter empty time.

The desire that drove you has relinquished.

There is nothing else to do now but rest 

And patiently learn to receive the self 

You have forsaken for the race of days... 

Gradually, you will return to yourself, 

Having learned a new respect for your heart 

And the joy that dwells far within slow time.

on taking stock of our lives

The start of a new year often prompts us to reflect on our lives and consider what changes we might want to make. New Year resolutions, as with Lenten fasts, often focus on what we might give up. It’s a boom time for the diet industry as people focus on losing some weight; it’s a less good month for the drinks industry as many observe ‘Dry January’ to give their livers a rest after indulging at Christmas. (I was doing fine until John handed me a glass of wine on New Year’s Day…)

Such opportunities for reflection are woven into Christian practice. We do this, for example, in the prayer of confession we say at the start of the Eucharist, offering up those moments in the week where we perhaps didn’t show our best selves to the world, asking God to help us do better. We can also say these prayers on behalf of the world — making our confession for the destruction of God’s creation, or the suffering that humanity inflicts.

Taking time to reflect at the end of each day is a long-established Christian practice. St Ignatius encouraged Christians to undertake a daily ‘Examen’, not only calling to minds the part of the day that went wrong for us (‘desolation’) but also offering thanksgiving to God for those moments in the day we are thankful for (‘consolation’). Take a moment to still yourself and open up to God’s presence, and ask: Where did I see God’s presence today? What am I thankful for? What feelings did I have today (positive and negative)? What should I pray for? How do I feel about tomorrow? You can read more about how to use these questions in your prayer time at: www.chrisgribble.com/the-daily-examen-five-key-questions/

on being ready for the unexpected

Happy New Year! I wish you every blessing for 2021. If last year taught us anything it is that the unexpected is always around the corner, so I will refrain from making any predictions about what lies in store for us. Whatever it brings, we must ensure we are in a state of spiritual readiness to respond to whatever life brings.

Jesus told his followers a parable to illustrate this point (Matthew 25.1-13). The bridesmaids at a wedding were due to greet the bridegroom at night. Each bridesmaid carried an oil-burning lamp so they could see in the dark. However, not all of them had brought spare oil with them, and their lamps went out. While they were away buying new oil, the bridegroom arrived and the prepared bridesmaids went into the banquet with him. When the others arrived, their lamps replenished, it was too late and the door was locked.

For us as Christians, keeping on top of our devotional life helps us to be alert to what God requires of us. The mission of the church has been described as ‘seeing what God is up to in the world and joining in.’ Only when we stayed tuned into God through daily prayer can we discern that. When we do, we also discover greater inner resilience and resources to deal with the unexpected. Whatever 2021 brings, I pray it will a year in which you can deepen your walk with God.