Image courtesy of Michael Leunig

I love this little cartoon from the Australian cartoonist and writer, Michael Leunig. The precociously smiling baby; the donkey wrapping itself lovingly around Joseph; the beautifully soft sheep, so interested either in the baby or the hay that he’s lying on…but most of all the magpie where the magi should be. I’m not going to pretend I know what he meant by it…

I’ve enjoyed Christmas so much more since we started singing in public places to remind people that they’d meant to donate to the Auckland City Mission but had forgotten. Plus a little live music, just for the joy of it. I always get to this point of the year feeling immensely grateful, not least for the beautiful souls who sing with us, both the ones who make it to “Christmas Busking” and the ones who don’t. Every one of our people is someone who wants things to be better.

It’s been a tough year - I don’t think anyone will begrudge me that small cliche. Our first year of being All Together Now started with us not being able to sing together for a whole term. Then working out how to reshape and keep the choirs ticking over through all the trials of masks and rolling sickness. But here we are at the end of it, sounding wonderful and still friends.

There’s new territory ahead - after the balancing act of this year, there’s new music and some new ideas. Because we do need to change so we can grow, but always with love. Leunig again:

God* help us to change.
To change ourselves and to change our world.
To know the need for it. To deal with the pain of it.
To feel the joy of it.
To undertake the journey without understanding the destination.
The art of gentle revolution.
Amen.

*Leunig’s explanation of his use of the word “God” fits nicely with my views: “A simple robust word used lightly and loosely or as devoutly and deeply as we might feel – a bridge, and a way to break free from this material world for a moment or two, a day or two... or for what's left of a lifetime.”

From https://www.leunig.com.au/ with thanks.

So that’s my look over my shoulder, with gratitude. Merry Christmas everyone! And on we go, All Together Now!

Kate