All I Want for Christmas

All I Want for Christmas

Christmas is a time of giving (and, by extension, of receiving). And it is a time when we are often asked what we want for Christmas. Obviously, we want something that will last, not just for the Christmas period. While teaching a music class of young children in...
Half of Six is not Three

Half of Six is not Three

An excited father was being congratulated on becoming a father (though there is not exactly any great skill required to achieve such an honour and distinction) by a colleague at work and was told, “Well done, mate. Your work will begin in five years’ time!” Presumably...
A Child is Born

A Child is Born

We celebrate at this time the extraordinary birth of a child born to be king, of a child “born that man no more may die”, of a child “born to raise the sons of earth”, of a child “born to give them second birth”. As Boney M sang in their 1981 hit song, “A ray of hope...
Not Drowning but Waving

Not Drowning but Waving

There was a time not so long ago, when we went on a holiday, we took a photo of a view (without anyone in it), finished the film, had the film developed and placed the prints in a photo album for us to look at occasionally in the future, and maybe even show a special...
Resist the Assist

Resist the Assist

“It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce to you our speaker this morning”. We have heard that often, no doubt, at the start of a workshop, conference or speech. Sometimes the one who has the privilege of introducing the speaker also delights in having the stage...