Tag Archives: Christmas

God stands by God’s Word

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

But as high risk and heavy investment strategies go, the scheduling of those responsible to throw in their lot with the populace bears some comparison to the Incarnation. Continue reading →

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When Advent meets Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

For Mary, Gabriel has opened a portal, a wormhole, an anomaly through which our history, this moment in which the blessed Incarnation is begun, is fused with eternity. Continue reading →

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When the heavens open

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

And Jesus: little, embryonic, speck of Jesus; what does he see, from such a soft and secret place? What does he know, from such a small beginning? Continue reading →

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Wordless

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

Wordless came the Word of God; not silent, as the night revolved around him snuffling, yawning, suckling, sighing, crying out the love of God, wordless, gazing into the eternity between one body and the next.

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Sermon for a Christmas Eve pageant

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

And so here we all are. Here is Mary, exhausted. There’s a reason that childbirth is called labour: it’s a workout. Here is Joseph, permanently bewildered, still not really sure what’s happening, but see the love that he has for … Continue reading →

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Year C Advent 3: Rejoice anyway

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

The third Sunday in Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. The rose candle is lit – if one is used – and the readings rejoice in God our saviour. Gaudete! Rejoice always, as the letter to the Philippians commands. And … Continue reading →

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My kingdom is not of this world

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

A pre-Advent poem for Christ the King The flag I did not come with fire and flood, but with tender fingertips, in flesh and squalling hunger biting through your resignation, splitting hearts and breaking glory down into its humblest parts, … Continue reading →

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Ashes and coaldust

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

Of all the symbols that we use in the Christian year, the ashes of Ash Wednesday might be at once the most unambiguous and the most strange. A wise colleague was recently heard to remark on the popularity of “ashes-to-go” … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve: love you to Bethlehem and back

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

There is a tradition that the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is a time for miracles. Beatrix Potter, who wrote the Peter Rabbit books, said that, it is in the old story that all the beasts can talk, … Continue reading →

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Healing the holidays homily 2014 edition: holding out on hope

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

Six months before the Angel Gabriel to earth came down, as the story goes, he was hanging out in Jerusalem, visiting with Zechariah. Zechariah and Elizabeth were much older than Mary – which is not to say that the young … Continue reading →

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