OK, it’s time I confessed:I’m one of those people who leaves everything to the last moment. I usually arrive where I am expected, but only just in time. Far too much is left to the last possible moment - or even later. I can trace this back into my childhood. I lived close to my primary school but was late almost every day. Apart from one day I never had a reasonable excuse. That day I had no excuse,my teacher was so shocked by my honesty on the matter that he awarded me two house points!
We have moved into the season of Advent as run up to Christmas. I’m sure that you know that this is about being prepared for the coming of Jesus. We should all be standing on tiptoes looking expectantly for Christ’s return.
A few years ago I wrote a revised version of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins for use in a school assembly. I thought I would add it here, with apologies to any who have heard it before. Versions vary slightly.
George, Henry and John, Mary, Jane and Sue were six young teenagers and friends who lived in the village of Opting-Under Water. One day, the girls had been browsing the Internet, looking for anything about the Spice Girls when they discovered that David and Victoria Beckham were planned to be attending a special event in a village not far from where they lived. There was no way they would be able to go but they worked out that there was a strong possibility that if they were traveling from their home in Holland Park, they would have to pass right through their village.
They knew the date, and the time of the event, but could not be sure what time they would be arriving. Mary thought it would be a good idea to camp out at the roadside in the village to see if they could spot the car,probably a limousine, she thought. So it was agreed to meet up in good time to see if they could spot the Beckhams.
The next day, at the appointed time, the six friends met up at an ideal place where there was a green close by. The boys had brought a football, in case they could get it autographed by David, thought this seemed quite unlikely. The girls had brought three large banners they had made themselves with words such as “Victoria we love you” written on them boldly.
“That;s a really good idea”, said Henry, “Why didn’t we think of that?”
“Because, as you know,” replied Sue, “Everyone knows girls are smarter than boys. It’s all about preparation. We spent several hours last evening making these.”
Henry just shrugged. Experience had taught him that arguing got him nowhere. Instead he suggested that they had a kick-around to while the time away. So the boys set up a goal with their jackets and played football while the girls settled down at the roadside. They had chosen an excellent situation as they had a good view a long way down the road to a bend in the direction from which the Beckham’s would be coming, if they came at all.
After a while the boys tired of playing football and joined the girls. All they had seen was ordinary cars, some vans, five large lorries and Mr Ford’s tractor and trailer. John noticed that the girls were getting packages from their backpacks. As the girls unwrapped sandwiches, the boys realised they were feeling hungry.
“Are you going to share those?” enquired John.
“Certainly not. We only just have enough for ourselves. You should have come prepared.”
With that the three hungry boys decided to hurry home and bring back something to keep them from starving.
Hardly had they left when Jane jumped up excitedly, pointing down the road. “Look!” she exclaimed with what was a squeal of excitement. “It’s a posh car. I think it’s a limousine. Get ready everyone.”
The girls stood in line, banners on display and waved madly as the car swept past them. Then,,,, they could not believe it…. the car stopped and began reversing towards them. As it came to a final halt beside them, to their delight David Beckham stepped out and opened the door for Victoria. The girls screamed and jumped for joy.
“Hi! However did you know we would be coming this way today? She enquired. The girls explained how they had seen it on the Internet and worked out they might come that way.
“How long have you been waiting?” David asked. The girls told them everything and were rewarded with autographs and selfies on their mobile phones.
All too soon David checked his watch and suggested that they had better leave if they were to arrive on time. The Beckhams climbed back into the car and it slowly drove off, disappearing from sight round the bend at the other end of the village.
It had just disappeared when the three boys returned. Boy, were they cross with themselves!
"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42).
Barry Osborne - 1st December 2018
We have moved into the season of Advent as run up to Christmas. I’m sure that you know that this is about being prepared for the coming of Jesus. We should all be standing on tiptoes looking expectantly for Christ’s return.
A few years ago I wrote a revised version of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins for use in a school assembly. I thought I would add it here, with apologies to any who have heard it before. Versions vary slightly.
George, Henry and John, Mary, Jane and Sue were six young teenagers and friends who lived in the village of Opting-Under Water. One day, the girls had been browsing the Internet, looking for anything about the Spice Girls when they discovered that David and Victoria Beckham were planned to be attending a special event in a village not far from where they lived. There was no way they would be able to go but they worked out that there was a strong possibility that if they were traveling from their home in Holland Park, they would have to pass right through their village.
They knew the date, and the time of the event, but could not be sure what time they would be arriving. Mary thought it would be a good idea to camp out at the roadside in the village to see if they could spot the car,probably a limousine, she thought. So it was agreed to meet up in good time to see if they could spot the Beckhams.
The next day, at the appointed time, the six friends met up at an ideal place where there was a green close by. The boys had brought a football, in case they could get it autographed by David, thought this seemed quite unlikely. The girls had brought three large banners they had made themselves with words such as “Victoria we love you” written on them boldly.
“That;s a really good idea”, said Henry, “Why didn’t we think of that?”
“Because, as you know,” replied Sue, “Everyone knows girls are smarter than boys. It’s all about preparation. We spent several hours last evening making these.”
Henry just shrugged. Experience had taught him that arguing got him nowhere. Instead he suggested that they had a kick-around to while the time away. So the boys set up a goal with their jackets and played football while the girls settled down at the roadside. They had chosen an excellent situation as they had a good view a long way down the road to a bend in the direction from which the Beckham’s would be coming, if they came at all.
After a while the boys tired of playing football and joined the girls. All they had seen was ordinary cars, some vans, five large lorries and Mr Ford’s tractor and trailer. John noticed that the girls were getting packages from their backpacks. As the girls unwrapped sandwiches, the boys realised they were feeling hungry.
“Are you going to share those?” enquired John.
“Certainly not. We only just have enough for ourselves. You should have come prepared.”
With that the three hungry boys decided to hurry home and bring back something to keep them from starving.
Hardly had they left when Jane jumped up excitedly, pointing down the road. “Look!” she exclaimed with what was a squeal of excitement. “It’s a posh car. I think it’s a limousine. Get ready everyone.”
The girls stood in line, banners on display and waved madly as the car swept past them. Then,,,, they could not believe it…. the car stopped and began reversing towards them. As it came to a final halt beside them, to their delight David Beckham stepped out and opened the door for Victoria. The girls screamed and jumped for joy.
“Hi! However did you know we would be coming this way today? She enquired. The girls explained how they had seen it on the Internet and worked out they might come that way.
“How long have you been waiting?” David asked. The girls told them everything and were rewarded with autographs and selfies on their mobile phones.
All too soon David checked his watch and suggested that they had better leave if they were to arrive on time. The Beckhams climbed back into the car and it slowly drove off, disappearing from sight round the bend at the other end of the village.
It had just disappeared when the three boys returned. Boy, were they cross with themselves!
"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42).
Barry Osborne - 1st December 2018
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