Mary & Joseph. Image from BBC Nativity

Christmas Eve has arrived! I had a message this morning that, ‘You’re never too grown up to stop looking at the skies for Father Christmas’. Quite right.

A wonderful time for families across the world, waiting, hoping, sharing, getting ready.

Maybe this year you’ve gone overboard on the presents, maybe like me you have been too the supermarket one too many times and just been amazed at the size of the  laden shopping trolleys and maybe today we can all stop, take a break and wait….

Wait for the Light of the World to come among us, to heal and to teach, to be with us and for us.

Even if it’s only for a few minutes lets release all the worries and the fears, they will still be there in two days time.

Christmas is the most special time in the year, a time to enjoy, and a time to know that God is with us, the Word made man.

Rev’d Sue Martin

July 31^st Tenth Sunday in Trinity

St Mary’s Church East Walton, Norfolk

Where your treasure is there will your heart be also

Hosea 11:1-11

Colossians 3:1-11

Luke 12:13-21

I would really like to put my head in the sand and be an ostrich at this time. A few weeks ago I thought that was possible and that when I came up for air then all this turmoil, worry and disaster would have gone away and life would be more settled.

But it hasn’t and there have been such dreadful things happening that they are now impossible to ignore. They are creating fear, despair, upset and rage and then what happens next?

In our prayers, be with all those in Rouen at the dreadful killing of Fr. Hamel, at the Eucharist, we ask God to look with compassion on his family on earth, to break down the barriers that some want to erect between different people, counter the effects of evil in our time and be with all those who mourn and who have been involved in these sufferings.

What I am going to talk about is seeking those things which are above in God’s world, getting rid of malice, fear, anger and wrath and being with God and God with us at every step of the way.

Where your treasure is there will your heart be also

Extract from sermon for 10th Sunday in Trinity

Rev’d Sue Martin Diocese of Norwich

The Way to Bethlehem

Luke Chapter 2 verses 1-6

Matthew Chapter 1, verses 20-21

^{So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, he town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was carrying a child.}

Joseph reluctantly takes Mary with him to Bethlehem and they travel by day and rest by night. One night Joseph awakens quickly from a dream, an angel has appeared to him in the dream and tells him that Mary is carrying the Messiah.

But on waking he refuses to believe and will not accept that Mary does know the truth.

The wise men have gathered in Judea and decided not to approach King Herod. They have seen that the stars are aligning to be over Bethlehem and are aware that the predictions from many years ago are coming true and the Saviour will be born in the city of David.

They journey on secret across Judea to Bethlehem, leaving their servants to return to Persia straight away.

In the fields the shepherds are watching there sheep and talking amongst themselves about having to pay taxes and if one day a Saviour will come for them.

The alignment is starting to be closer and the journeys of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds in the fields and the travels of the wise men are all leading to Bethlehem , along with the alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Regulus.

Rev’d Sue Martin – Diocese of Norwich

A Little Lower than the Angels. Hebrews, 2:7
Michaelmass, the season when the summer is coming to an end, a time when the beautiful warm weather starts to become a little cooler and the autumn approaches.
We have seen the autumn equinox impressively this year marked by the super moon and the eclipse. A wonderful sign of God’s world.
Michaelmass was the time in the agricultural world when the summer seasonal work was at a close and those working on the land over the summer seasons would be looking for work elsewhere for the winter season. A time for change.
In Thomas Hardy novels he makes full use of the season to show a whole army of characters with their agricultural implements and particular skills in field work to be present at a market of fair in the local towns.

St Michael is the guardian angel of autumn  or Michaelmass. He is the Archangel responsible for courage and bravery, he is the defender of faith and is known for his slaying of the dragon.

Sermon for 18th Sunday after Trinity at All Saint’s Church Ashwicken 4.10.15

Rev’d Sue Martin     FaithGoesWalkabout.org

On Wednesday 26 August 2015 I will be  starting a pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea.

As I start to prepare beyond the packing I remember this pilgrims prayer from Mallorca.

Set out! You were born for the road Set out! You have a meeting to keep. Where? With whom? You don’t yet know Perhaps with yourself? Set out! Your steps will be your words the road your song the weariness your prayer. And at the end your silence will speak to you.

Set out! Alone or with others; but get out of yourself. You have created rivals you will find companions. You envisaged enemies You will find brothers and sisters. Set out! You were born for the road. The pilgrims road.

Someone is coming to meet you is seeking you, so that you can find him.   In the temple at the end of the road.

In the shrine at the depths of your heart. He is your peace He is your joy.

Go, God already walks with you.

Taken from Eglisia Paroquial , Arta Mallorca

Rev’d Sue Martin Diocese of Norwich