THIS REFLECTION began as a sermon preached at a Methodist Covenant Service. I’ve adapted it here for anyone who has ever struggled with resolutions, commitments, or prayers that ask more of us than we feel able to give. At its heart is a simple conviction: covenant begins with God, not with us.

Responsive prayers for a Christmas carol service, rooted in Scripture and centred on the ancient Christian prayer Maranatha – holding together Christ’s coming at Christmas and the hope of his coming again.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my eighth and final musical moment.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my seventh.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my sixth.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my fifth.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chaptersinspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my fourth.

INSPIRED by 8 pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my third.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my second.

Inspired by eight pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into eight chapters. The author also invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my first.

6th December is the feast of St Nicholas, patron saint of children. In the Middle Ages, there was a tradition of electing a Boy Bishop – a reminder to hear the wisdom of the young.