Where are you as you read these words? Sat at home, in a coffee shop, on a walk. Maybe you are in one of your favourite places or an unfamiliar one that feels a little strange. In the story of Jesus’ birth we hear of numerous people having to move to new places or seek very specific ones. Mary and Joseph leave their village to travel to Bethlehem for the census even with Mary due to give birth at any moment. The shepherd are sat in their fields but then get sent to find the new baby. Our verses today introduce the Magi who are looking for the place where a new king will be born. They natural go to the palace of the current king to find this new child. But this isn’t the right place! The place they need is a much more humble one and not the usual setting for the arrival of a new born king. These places that appear in the story have become special places for many people, with churches and shrines being built upon them. That’s because the place where things happen, particularly significant events, hold special memories for people or feel like thin places (that is a place where the gap between us and God feels especially small). These thin places are where we go when we need space to think or to seek a sense of peace or connectedness with who we are and where we have come from. Maybe you are sat in your thin place right now!
Photo Challenge: Take a picture of something inspired by the word place. Use the hashtag #woryem
Place
Place for being
Place for physicality
Place
There is a place for you in this season of advent
Stop for a moment
Where do you call home?
We are a community of faith.
Strandlopers on a journey.
We have a place in this season of advent
By God’s grace we go.
Amen
Has been a part of BeachcomberFX since his arrival in the North East in 2014. He is well travelled (at least in the UK) having lived in Manchester, Nottingham, Derbyshire, Southport, Doncaster, Berwick and Edinburgh. Supporter of Newcastle United, will watch any sport.
Comments 1
So many special places