John Bell of the Iona Community 
Monday, 30 November, 2009, 08:40 AM - Bell
Rating 3 out of 5 (Fairly platitudinous)

I had a really nice Holiday in Vietnam. I don't know anyone from Vietnam, don't know anyone who'd ever been to Vietnam so I decided to go there alone to see what it was like. I was soon approached by some charming young boys who really were very friendly indeed, despite them not having an Invisible Magic Friend. They all looked much younger than they claimed to be and seemed very keen to strike up a conversation with me. We talked in English which, it turns out, is of benefit in advancing them in their chosen careers. One asked me to sing to him, which I gladly did and he responded in kind by singing a beautiful song back to me.

I was so glad I had trusted these young boys. Without that trust across cultures and generations, I would have lost out on one of the most delightful experiences of my visit.

It reminds me of Advent, which for those of you who do not believe in the Christian Invisible Magic Friend, begins today. Let's not get carried away with all the little trinkets and games associated with the season. We mustn't forget the true meaning of Advent. The Invisible Magic Friend trusted us with his visible bit who, as soon as he was grown up enough and opened his mouth, we had tortured to death.

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