Weekly Green Tau

Advent 19

December 2022

A prison door is, I find, a frightening image. It evokes the horror of being shut in – locked up – of not being able to get out. A loss of freedom. Metaphorically I wonder what things imprison us? Or what things, what fears, do we lock away so that we don’t have to face up to them?

Advent is a good time to unlock the prison doors in our lives, to free ourselves from constriction.

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,

   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,

   a light to the nations, 

   to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

   from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7

Do not fear, for I am with you,

   do not be afraid, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

   I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Counting on … day 412

19th December 2022

Spare a thought for the humble earthworm. According to a report in the Guardian, ‘Populations of earthworms in the UK may have fallen by about a third in the past 25 years, an assessment has shown.… “It would have widespread impacts on the species that feed on soil invertebrates, like birds,  but also affect soil processing and nutrient cycling, the whole functioning of our ecosystems,” he [Prof James Pearce-Higgins] said. “Thrushes, starlings and many waders that rely on soil invertebrates are in long-term decline. These declines are greatest in south-east England where hotter, drier summers may also reduce the availability of earthworms to foraging birds.”

Dr Ailidh Barnes, also at the BTO, said there were good reasons to expect declines in earthworms on farmland. “Changes in the UK countryside over the last century, such as extensive drainage, pesticide use and inorganic fertiliser application, are likely to have negatively affected earthworm populations.” Repeated ploughing was also likely to cause harm.”

There are 29 different species of earth worms in the UK. 

Fourth Sunday in Advent

18th December 2022

Reflection (the readings follow on below)

Ahaz was king of Judah, the southern half of what had been the unified Israel. The kings of the adjoining lands of Israel (the northern kingdom) and of Aram (a western neighbour) wanted Ahaz to join forces with them and overrun the larger – richer – Assyrian nation. Isaiah’s counsel had been that Ahaz should not join the conflict but place his trust and the safety of Judah in the hands of God. Ahaz decided ask for help of the Assyrians, who did then rout the kings of Israel and Aram but in return demanded Judah became one of Assyria’s vassal nations. 

Ahaz was unwilling to ask help from God, and unable to choose between good and evil. 

That the  stories we read of in the Bible are rooted in real history is important. It certainly is for Paul who, in his letter to the Roman congregations, is keen to remind them that Jesus was descended from David, ie that there was a human earthiness or rootedness to Jesus. And then with equal historical certainty, he talks of that same Jesus as the one resurrected from the dead through, as the one who is the Son of God. And further that that same Jesus fills his followers with grace. This is the mystery of Christmas: that Jesus, who is of God, is also of humankind, and is God with us, and God in us. 

Another message that today’s readings give us is about being open to God, willing to hear and receive God’s word – indeed God’s Word. Ahaz is reluctant to listen to either God or God’s prophet. He is reluctant to place his trust in God. Paul, in contrast, has learnt to trust solely and absolutely in God, to be ever open to God’s will, ever open to receiving power and grace from God, through Jesus Christ.

In today’s gospel both Mary and Joseph are open to trusting in and doing God’s will – whether that be  bearing a child  or being seen as a cuckold. I am particularly intrigued that is through the medium of a dream that Joseph hears God’s word. Prayer is  about openness, about clearing one’s mind of chit chat and buzz, which is also what one does before falling asleep. Both now in Advent and in the busy season of Christmas, it is good to clear our minds and make time for God.

Isaiah 7:10-16

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.

3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbours, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.

17 And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

18 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Advent 18

December 2022

Emergency exit. Advent and Christmas can be unduly stressful times: be prepared. It can be useful to have a plan – an emergency exit – for when the situation gets too much for you to cope with. Things can go wrong, develop in unexpected directions, or become more complex than first thought. Rather than panicking or getting cross or agitated, it is better to have in mind a calm exit strategy. Having such a plan may lessen your anxiety and actually enable you to deal with the situation more effectively and without having to use the emergency exit. An emergency exit is not about defeat. Rather it is about humility, about knowing and being able to admit to your limitations.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

   whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

   of whom shall I be afraid? 

For he will hide me in his shelter

   in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

   he will set me high on a rock. 

Psalm 27:1,5

Counting on … day 410 

17th December 2022

Delegates at the Biodiversity COP are working to define what it is to be ‘nature positive’. I would hope it means a default of working with rather than against the natural environment wherever possible. One of the Guardian correspondents commented that little is being said about how we as individuals can be ‘nature positive’, adding “Dietary changes, for example, is one of the most significant things people reading this could do to reduce their impact on biodiversity, namely cutting meat consumption.”

Advent 17

December 2022

This drawing from 1673 by Adriaen van Ostade presents a cheerful scene. People are making music, bowling, walking the dog, drinking, sharing a meal, having a chat. Standing in the doorway is the proprietress. She must be an industrious person for over the door are two bee skeps, higher up a dovecote, and by her feet, hens.

A pub can be a welcome place for a traveller needing a break, a relaxed place to meet friends, to share passions – darts or skittles, watch sport, book clubs – or a place to go if you are feeling alone and in need of company. It can be a place to find a phone, a toilet or to ask the way when lost. Some pubs double up as post offices, libraries and become the centre of their community. Maybe the challenge for the church is to be as open in its reach to the community as the local pub.

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24,25

Counting on … day 404

11th December 2022

The Natural History Museum suggests ‘While not everyone can be at the international negotiations in Montreal, there are a variety of steps that everyone can use to find out more about biodiversity loss and how to combat it.

Changing how we live is the most important way everyone can have an impact. Intensive agriculture is one of the most significant causes of biodiversity loss globally, so eating a less intensively farmed diet, including cutting down on meat and dairy, is one way to protect species in the UK and around the world.

Other ways we can live more sustainably include growing insect-friendly plants, mowing the garden less frequently, and reducing the amount of waste we produce.

You can also get involved more directly to make the world a more biodiverse place, such as getting involved in community science projects or calling for change from decision makers.’

Counting on… day 409

16th December 2022

The Ethical Consumer has provided a list of alternatives to using Amazon this Christmas. I f you want to know more about why Amazon is considered to be so unethical follow this link: https://ethicalconsumer.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a8ca94202812f2c92c29fbe59&id=6f28a9172a&e=40cf608d55

1. Gift experiences instead of items

What makes the person you’re gifting to happy? You could make handmade vouchers for things like:

  • Their favourite meal
  • Book a week off work for summer, and say you want to start planning that trip they would love to go on
  • A full day plan: such as a hike route drawn on a map, packed-lunch menu, and table reservation for mulled wine at the end of the walk

2. Repurpose what you already have

Many of us have possessions we don’t use. Could they become presents?

  • A book on your shelf that makes you think of them
  • A piece of clothing they complimented you on
  • Old photos that could be dug out and turned into a collage
  • Niche ingredients in your cupboard could be bulked out to make a full meal box, with a handwritten recipe.

3. Shop from independent companies

Use these guides, especially created to help people find ethical alternatives to Amazon.

… last but not least, Ethical Consumer’s Christmas Gift subscription is a perfect antidote to the mindless foray of consumerism that the festive season has become known for.

Counting on … day 408 

15th December 2022

The cold weather is a reminder to us of the importance of food, both for ourselves to keep us warm, and for local wildlife. 

The RSPB has useful tips – 

https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/nature-on-your-doorstep/garden-activities/food-for-your-wild-friends/?utm_source=nature_on_your_doorstep_november&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=3&utm_campaign=nature_on_your_doorstep