The Mother of all Sundays

Dear friends

It’s now nine months until Christmas! “Don’t remind us,” you cry, and, “Why would you even remember that day?” The reason is simply down to human biology: for Jesus to be born on Christmas Day, his life in the womb must have started nine months previously. Therefore, this Tuesday on the 25th March the church celebrates The Annunciation –

that momentous day when Mary had a visit from the angel Gabriel who told her that she had been chosen to bear God’s Son. Mary’s obedient ‘Yes’ to that message changed human history. Through her, God showed his love for each of us by sending his Son, Jesus. We can be really thankful for Mary’s willingness to be part of God’s plan.

This week we will also celebrate Mothering Sunday – a day of refreshment in the middle of Lent. Missing this feast is not possible these days as every shop you enter and restaurant you pass has for weeks been urging us to buy our presents and cards and book our table for lunch in order that we can show our appreciation for Mum. It’s sometimes difficult to know how to show our thankfulness isn’t it? A few years ago, a group I went to had a meeting where people brought something precious to them. We prepared for Faberge eggs and diamond brooches… However, most of the items had no value in themselves, but were tokens of love between a parent and child – the one I most remember was a handmade card, where real thought had gone into the illustration and the words – so simple, so appreciated, and few of us had dry eyes at the end of that time.

For some, the day is hard – maybe through bereavement, unrealised hopes or difficult relationships. Yet I hope we all have someone, and maybe many people, who have helped to mother us on our journeys through encouragement, support and love. In church this week, we’ll be thinking of them, thanking them and praying for them in their daily lives. I wonder how you’ll thank those people who are special to you?

God bless,

Ruth