Over the last few weeks, Mary and Joseph have hung out with giraffes and zebras, helped with some ironing and visited a variety nativity crib scenes, and spent the night with Peppa Pig and family. Meanwhile the Wise Men found their way to Shirley and popped to a Franciscan blessing. 

Connecting through travelling and hospitality

It's all been part of a St Denys version of Posada, a tradition with its roots in Mexico where Mary and Joseph travel between houses on the days before Christmas. My hope was that it would help people connect with one another and with Christmas. 

They've taken with them a Travel Log, in which St Denys folk have offered reflections and insights inspired by the welcoming the guests. I was not prepared for how thoughtful, moving and wide-ranging the reflections would be. 

So I thought I'd offer a summary of them here, so they can help us all connect a bit more deeply and richly with Jesus' birth, and those who were such a vital part of events.

Thank you to all of the St Denys crew, young and not-so-young, who welcomed, reflected and have helped us connect.

So what did the hosts reflect upon when their visitors came?

• The importance of both people involved bringing us Jesus. 
  
• The deep love of Mary for God and so her willingness to say yes.
• Joseph deserves our respect and praise as heard and obeyed
• The courage of Mary & Joseph that made it possible for Jesus to fulfil his mission.

And...

• The vulnerability refugees far from home in an alien land, leaving so much behind.
• The oppression of a people group, it could never happen, now could it !?!
• The loneliness and isolation brought on by the journey and also the disreputable pregnancy
• The complete dependency on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter. 
• The value of a friendly face and kind word on a long, tiring journey.

And

• The contrast between the stillness of the nativity scene figures and our own busy lives. 'I want to hold on to their quiet wonder'
• The value God gave to animals, born amongst animals that he had created.
• The challenge to wonder how I push Jesus out of my life, rather than welcoming him in.
• The fullness of our hearts - full of powerful love, of gratitude and joy.
• The journey shaped by hope, love, peace, joy and happiness. So let's celebrate.

And

• The big risk God took trusting his son to a bunch of humans/
• The reminder that Jesus came for all world, and not just for us.
  

And 

• The lessons that silliness can teach

Final reflections...

I wonder which of these is poignant to you this year. 

And I wonder what you might want to say to God in response to these reflections. Is it thanks, or 'help, or sorry. Or maybe it's not words you want to offer, but simple silence. 

A Prayer from the Franciscan Blessing of the Cribs

'By imitating his humility may we, remembering his presence among us in the Scriptures and among the poor of the world, become a worthy dwelling place for His rebirth, Jesus Christ, they Son our Lord.' 

Amen