The First Sunday of Advent

Did you miss me then? (biographical note -here)

I did – even though it reminds me of that old joke about the Rabbi and the Wailing Wall.

What joke?

You don’t know the joke about the Rabbi and the Wailing Wall?

No, I don’t know the joke about… are you deaf?

Sorry?

I said are you….. that was another joke wasn’t it!!?

It was!

He he he.

So there was this University Professor

I thought you said it was about a Rabbi.

It is.

It is?

It is… the University Professor was visiting Jerusalem and he was staying in a hotel that overlooked the Wailing Wall, and every day he watched this old Rabbi approach the Wailing Wall and devoutly does whatever it is you devoutly do by the Wailing Wall?

Don’t you know?

Wail?

Prey!

Ah, so everyday he watched this old Rabbi etc etc etc and he was very impressed by the love and devotion that he showed.
So one day he went down from the hotel and met the Rabbi as he was returning and stopped him. “Excuse me “, he asked, “I’ve observed you every day by the Wall and I’m moved by your commitment. What is the experience like for you?”

The Rabbi looked at him and replied, “It’s like talking to a brick wall.”

You mean I’m your brick wall?

Not exactly, but sometimes….

Thanks a lot, did anyone else miss me?

Well, Mary said something positive.

I like Mary.

You do?

I do!

How?

Enigmatically!

Enigmatically?

E N I G matically!

Whatever. So, we are bringing you back.

Like this?

Almost.

Almost?

Almost, we’re going to start in the New Year.

That’s ages!

No, it isn’t, it’s December next week

Already?

Already.

And?

Time to do something special!

Special?

Well, different.

In what way?

Well, two years ago I decided to try and do a Bitsnbobs advent calendar – every post had to feature a “door” – it was marginally successful (accessible through this link).

Last year?

I tried again, making every post a short film featuring a door.

Successful?

A bit better I think.

So, what’s the plan this year?

Well that’s the problem - I’m struggling to find an idea. I had thought of a series of still photos of different doors with an interview with the person who lives behind, but I chickened out last week.

Chickened out?

Yes I was taking a first photo – number 12 in the series it would have been – when the owner lent out of an upstairs window to see what was going on, and though my prepared line “hello, I’m taking photos for an art project, could I ask you a few questions” flashed to my lips, I swallowed it and left.

Shy?

A bit.

So?

So now the idea is radical.

Radical!?

Yes, radical -you know how I set up The Digestive as a way to deal with days (Sundays) of no comment?

I do.

Well I had another idea at the time and December might just be the time to try.

Spill.

Spill?

Spill the beans.

Ah – how about if I ONLY post on Sundays?

What??!!!

You heard me.

Isn’t that against the founding principles of this blog, you know try and publish something, anything EVERY day.

Sort of – but you know what the Buddhists say?

Num yo ho rengay kho?

No, no – not that. They say sometimes you have to break your resolutions in able to reinforce them.

They do?

They do ……. I think.

Wow. Radical.

And there’s more – December/ Christmas/Something Different/ Advent Calendar? – I can give it a theme.

You can?

I can.

What?

The four Sundays of Advent.

What?

You know Advent - from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" - it is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation.

Expectant Waiting and Preparation!

Exactly!

Brilliant!

And a candle!

A candle?

Yes, a candle – it’s a tradition somewhere, sometime, to light a candle on each of the Sundays.

So that’s what you are going to do?

Yep. No more posts for a bit – EXCEPT on the four Sunday’s of Advent.

And a candle?

And a candle!

And what about the preparation?

I’m going to prepare something!

What?

The End of The Year quiz!!! (With big prize) – I’ll publish it right after the fourth candle.

Genius!

Thank you, if you do say so myself.

When’s the official first Sunday of Advent then?

Guess.