December 2009: Christmas

Pale pink feathers covered her skirt, which was the size of one of those party hats whose thin elastic strap pinches and whose inverted-cone shape makes anyone, no matter how gorgeous, look goofy, if not ridiculous.

I remember little about her torso and face, or even her wings — but as soon as this fairy-floss- angel was secured on the uppermost pine branch of our tree it was she who truly heralded Christmas and the start of the holy season.

It was a season I equated with leisure and pleasure.

Seeing afresh the story of Jesus the Saviour’s advent into the world was part of my expectant enjoyment. But so, too, was looking forward to endless hours to swim in the backyard pool, create dazzling jazz ballet routines and read books … stacks of them!

A pink feather chosen on retreat now holds significance for this month’s Insights reflector, Rosemary Cottrell.

Both she and feature writer Andrew Irvine reveal how important it is to take time out to look and listen. How good it is to watch and wait.

The pink-feathered angel helped me do this as a child.

As did books.

This year I’ll use a pink feather as a bookmark to help me prepare the way.

Marjorie Lewis-Jones

With Christmas greetings from the Insights/Uniting Creative tea: Deb, Stephen, Adrian, Lyndal, Marjorie, Bronwynand Kim.