Celebration

It was my Mum’s birthday yesterday, she was 86. Somehow, over the years her birthdays have become increasingly important to her and she has always made a big celebration of them. I think that this year she was really worried that nothing would happen, that it would be just another dreary lockdown day for her in Holland, with not much fun to be had on her own.

In the morning, she looked out of her front window, someone had put a whole lot of bunting up, the doorbell then rang and she hurried, yes she ought to have walked calmly as befits her age but this is my Mum, to the door to be greeted by singing and a trumpeter playing lang zal ze leven in de gloria, the Dutch birthday song. Her great nephew had arranged for his children  to sing and play for her to greet her with cards and flowers. Mum then sat, on a chair in her front garden and was then inundated by cards delivered, huge bouquets of tulips,  parcels arrived with presents and in between she received a great many phone calls and many portions of Dutch apple tart and cream were consumed by well wishers and passers by! At the end of the day Mum had a house full of flowers, presents and memories of that sweet musical beginning of her special day along with the sense of being much loved not only by family but also her neighbours and friends. It was probably one of her best birthdays ever.

It’s all too easy to forget to celebrate or feel that we won’t bother, we can celebrate still either by ourselves or at a distance with others, over the phone or on screen with others. Young people, separated from others sometimes watch a film together online and, using their phones, comment and discuss with one another as the plot unwinds.

Jesus celebrated with his friends right up to the end, celebration and festival is a vital part of Church life, so let’s not forget to celebrate take up any opportunity we can. We are in the six weeks’ celebration of Easter, a celebration of joy, forgiveness and life.

Jesus,  Bread of Life,
Reaching out in love to us,
so we may touch others;
filling us with your gifts,
so we can be a blessing to the world;
scattering our darkness with hope,
so we might bring joy,
We give thanks for all that we have

And we celebrate your love.