Tuesday 1st December

Opening Doors

I was listening to something on the radio yesterday about advent calendars.  And the fact that cosmetics companies are now producing them at a cost of anything up to several hundred pounds containing teeny tiny samples of make up and perfumes - one for each day.

It would appear that the cosmetics companies have cottoned on to the fact that we all seem to have a deep fascination with opening doors :)   And you do have to admit that its not just the kids who thrill to the anticipation of an unexpected treat behind a piece of hinged cardboard.  We all love it.  Its part of what makes Christmas fun.

Back when I was a kid advent calendars were mostly flat pieces of card with a religious theme and behind each door would be a picture of something to do with the christmas story.  A donkey or a star or a lamb.   My brother and I had such fun trying to find the cleverly hidden numbers and then opening the doors and comparing pictures.  This year my kids will be opening a Lego calendar.  A hugely expensive opportunity for a three way argument every day as they fight over whos turn it is

and who got the best item and why ' it's not fair!!'

This year I have a challenge for you.  Every day between now and Christmas day why don't we get up in the morning and mentally open an imaginary door and ask God what He has behind it for us to discover.   Why don't we look for the surprise He has for us each day in the lead up to Christmas.  Perhaps we will bump into an old friend.  Or find something we had thought long lost.  Maybe someone will bless us with a gift or we shall find the perfect present for that impossible-to-buy for relation.   Maybe someone will pay us a compliment or we will find a tenner in the pocket of an old coat.   The ways God can bless us and speak to us are legion.  He is doing it all the time its just that most of the time we aren't paying attention.   If you have children who are opening doors in the coming days why not explain to them that the cardboard door and the piece of chocolate are just a way for us to remember that God is good to us every single day.   As we watch the children's delight and excitement as they open each door let's remind ourselves that we are invited to have the same attitude as children.  Wonder, excitement, anticipation, fun, laughter, joy in the small things.   We could all do with a bit more of that in our lives.