Next Monday (19th January) will allegedly be the most depressing day of the year: Blue Monday. Developed by Cardiff psychologist Cliff Arnail in 2005, it’s a psychosocial framework to identify and explain a confluence of factors contributing to low mood and psychological distress typically observed in mid to late January. It even has its own formula:…
Where we live at midnight we watch the fireworks from our bedroom window. We have a view up the river and, on a clear night, can experience displays on the waterfront and beyond in one direction and possibly through Sproughton and along the estuary in the other. The family from next door who moved in…
At the beginning of a New Year, we thank God for His past faithfulness and trust in him for the future – whatever that may bring. I usually choose a hymn to put above my desk as a reference point for the year. However, this year I’ve adapted a prayer to use instead. God, help…
I was sad when the top ten chart for Christmas 2025 was announced at the end of last week with Kylie’s song ‘Xmas’ at Number 1. Although a record breaking success for her, it was poignant that it was the one festive song in the top ten that replaced ’ Christ’ with an ‘X’. Not…
When my children were small, my favourite day was Christmas Eve and my favourite time was teatime. By then, there was nothing else to be done for Christmas. The shops were closed, the turkey defrosted, the cards sent, the presents wrapped. The biggest challenge now would be to persuade the children to settle down and…
Now the nativity scene is set up on the mantlepiece, I can’t help but see it when I settle down on the sofa in the evenings. It struck me last night that the characters are either standing or kneeling. Apart from baby Jesus of course, who is always depicted lying on his back – seemingly…
Do you have a nativity scene in your home? Sometimes they come as advent calendars now with a different figure to add each day in the run up to Christmas. When I had my children small, we had a nativity and I remember often glancing at it as the preparations got more intense and the…
This is a question I’ve overheard several times during this past week. Our Church tree arrived last weekend and was set up on Tuesday. Hopefully it will be decorated by some of the younger church members on Saturday, ready for Sunday. Every family has their own tradition as to when the tree goes up and…
A year or two ago, I hunted for a new nativity scene decoration in the shops. I could get Father Christmases on trains, deers and elves. Now I know I could shop on line, but I like to see, touch and get an idea of size and make a stand for wanting Jesus to be…
Have you been gripped by ‘The Traitors’ TV series? It’s fascinating to watch people’s behaviour and what motivates them to turn on their friends, adapt their opinions depending on performances in challenges or throw away phrases, propose and undermine allegiances. Also, what individuals will say to convince others of their constancy. It must be so…