December Editorial

I was really struck by something that happened after an Advent assembly a couple of weeks ago on the question “What are you waiting for?”. There were two Year 10 girls (14 Yr olds) hanging around in the hall and one of them was scribbling madly in her journal.  After starting a conversation they launched straight into what the assembly had made them think about and they took turns in sharing what they were reflecting on.

To be honest I was quite surprised these two particular girls were even having this conversation with me, and even more so when one of them turned round and asked me “So, what are you waiting for?”! I wasn’t expecting this question but was pleasantly surprised. I had an opportunity to talk about my faith with these girls, and we had a few minutes of being able to share some things that are important to us and also of the frustration of waiting for something and then being disappointed if things don’t turn out exactly how you hope.

I reflected on this girl’s question to me later on, and was prompted to think for the first time this year what Christmas means to me? After all, I talk about it, ask others about it, write lessons and assemblies about it…surely I have an answer myself!?! And so as I sat this evening and reflected on what God may be prompting me to ‘wait’ for this Christmas, I came across this poem on someone’s blog which struck a chord with me:

I’m waiting for God to break in…

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When all seems well
With us and with the world
When our yoke is easy
And the burden light
You break in
And scatter our complacency

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When we are comfortable
And at our ease
When the fire is lit
But eyes are closed
You break in
And challenge our dependency

You break into
Our daily prayers
Humble hearts
Lay souls bare
You break in
You break in

You break in
When defences are down
With an Angel’s shout
Or the quietest sound
You break in
You break in

And we change
And all things change
When you break in

Can I encourage you in this season of running around before the end of term, of leading as many Christmas activities as you can fit into a week and of eating too many mince pies, to pause…to ask yourself the question “What am I waiting for?”, and to let God break in. Allow him to break in, as he did in a baby’s cry all those years ago, to disturb our complacency and challenge our dependency on anything else but him and reveal a new season that awaits us in 2010.

Have a really happy Christmas and a good rest!

Amy

schoolswork.co.uk project director