Simon Says ...

The Radio Three Bach Christmas is superb. I've re-tuned most of the radios around the house so i listen to it at various points during the day. Yesterday evening I was listening to the St John Passion while putting a service sheet together. On Saturday I heard a newly discovered Wedding cantata as I went to the post office to pick up a parcel. Today I've heard some of the Cello Suites in between meetings and preparation for Christmas services. It's relaxing and beautiful music, and so much nicer to get up to than John Humphrys and the Today Programme. But what's really lovely in the build up to Christmas is listening to music with a deep Christian content and hearing announcers read the texts from the Gospels and the Bible in general on which cantatas are based. It's the best Christmas present the BBC could have given me (well, Ok, the second best after 7pm on Christmas day ). This is why I pay the licence fee!

There's a great story on the BBC website about trying to live without money for a week . A very brave attempt (especially as the milk had gone off by day 2!). For me it links into the annual Buy Nothing Day (a Saturday before Christmas) and the rather more adventurous Buy Nothing Christmas . I always feel that I'd like to do these, but that my lifestyle forbids it. I guess I'm another cash addict. Ah well, just off to the shop to buy some lunch!

A couple of years ago the Church of England won an award for the quality of its beards. Today I discover that the Complex Christ has a set of Christian beards on display - marvellous stuff. There's even a Resonance beard for the local alt.w group (previous incarnation). The only question I have is why you have to be bald to sport one?

Sunday was our alt.worship Christmas service. Charity has some pics and one of the meditations used on her site. Here, for your delectation, is the introduction to the service: Welcome to Christmas, the shops are full and the music plays. Do they know it’s Christmas? They might not, but for us there’s no escape. And try telling someone working in Woolworths that you wish it could be Christmas everyday. Money just seems to disappear – presents, cards, posting, decorations, parties. And what shall we buy Aunty Gladys this year? Even Oxfam are in on it – buying a goat they tell us. Nice thought, but it just creates new problems. Would Uncle Fred rather have a donkey or a camel; a stethoscope or a fishing rod? Where ever you turn there’s adverts for this, pester power for that, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the other. And with the money goes time, the frantic rush of getting things posted in time; the Christmas Eve shopping for the person you forgot, or realistically

As a student I was a member of the SCM , so on a visit to Bristol University Chaplaincy I was really pleased to discover these images. SCM was never this cool in my day (perhaps there's a reason for that!). This has to be my favourite - for obvious reasons. Thanks to Michelle for giving me a full set of the postcards.

Advent on the web is fun. Here are some suggestions for your delectation. No chocolate however (whatever might be promised ). Dave has a superb Advent Calendar Blog . This is also a good one, and even started on 27th November! Or you might want to try a Blake's 7 Advent Calendar as an antidote to all the religious stuff in the shops at the moment. Erm ...

I'm not usually interested by questions of science and religion. Usually they're either drawing what I regard as an irrelevant contrast (science vs religion) or trying to prove religion (an activity I regard as misguided at best). But this very personal account by Robert Winston is both interesting and moving. It's a piece that draws on his Jewish beliefs and practices (practices are all too often ignored in typical science and religion debates) and combines Biblical reflection with personal experience as a scientist and a believer. It's accessible to believers of any faith tradition as well as to those with no faith commitment, and is much the better for it. There's a TV programme and a book to go with it Far more interesting than either Richard Dawkins on why religion is wrong or Christians on why Dawkins is wrong!

Yoofwork is a superb site, thanks to Gayle for sending me the link. It's far too true, and had me laughing out loud. Check out the booking form for a weekend away and the form sent to parents disclaiming responsibility for (amongst other things) the death or severe maiming of any youth group member or the loss of any valuables (including hearing and sight). Brilliant!

This World AIDS Day is a day for watching and praying. Watch - the leaders of the world and their promise to provide treatment for all who need it by 2010. Go to the Action Aid site and add your eyes to those watching. Apparently they'll go on tour later in the year. Pray - for those with HIV/AIDS, for the leaders and those with the power to help, and for all who care for those who are ill or bereaved. A Prayer of Hope from the Diakonia Council of Churches in South Africa God of Hope, all of us are affected by HIV/AIDS. At this time of Advent Hope, as we prepare for the coming of your son into this world we give thanks for signs of hope. For growing understanding, for medical advances, for changing attitudes and behaviour, for greater awareness and concern in your church. God of Unity, bind us together with strong ties of love, that your church may be a place where all can find acceptance, may it be a place of welcome for all affected by HIV/AIDS. May it be a place where care is