The Term Is Over: The Holidays Have Begun

Much joy in our home, as the whole family (except me, of course) is now on holiday. There's a palpable sense of relief and imminent restfulness.

At this time of year church life slows down too. Fewer meetings, fewer of our regular people around (though numbers stay up because of visitors), and less pastoral pressure generally make for an easier time.

I'm taking time off in three weeks time, so there's a period before I get to fully 'chill', but nonetheless, things are slowing down, and it feels good.

This time of year always reminds me of this, a taste of what is to come:

'You do not look as happy as I meant you to be.' Lucy said, 'We're so afraid of being sent away, Aslan. And you have sent us back to our own world so often.'

'No fear of that,' said Aslan. 'Have you not guessed?' Their hearts leapt and a wild hope rose within them.

'There was a real railway accident,' said Aslan softly.'Your father and mother and all of you are -- as you used to call it in the Shadowlands -- dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.'

                                                        C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle