Thought for the Week

By Canon Philip Gray, St Margaret’s

THOSE of you who are of a similar age or generation to me may remember the children’s book and television character Mr Benn. The adventures of Mr Benn usually began with “an ordinary day in Festive Road”. This would be the pretext for Mr Benn to make his visit to the costume shop where the shopkeeper would appear “as if by magic”. Entering the changing room Mr Benn would then change into his costume, depart through another door, and embark on an adventure.

Be it a clown, a spaceman or a cowboy, Mr Benn would always affect the world he entered for good before the shopkeeper appeared to accompany him back to the changing room. When he got home to Festive Road Mr Benn had always retained a souvenir of his adventure to help him to remember where life had taken him.

Mr Benn celebrates his 50th birthday this year and is being honoured with an exhibition of his work, by David McKie, at a gallery in London. It includes many of the original animation cells from the television episodes as well as numerous drawings. I am fortunate enough to be visiting the exhibition this week.

One of the disadvantages of growing up may be that we leave behind our childlike wonder and neglect to see the gift of the adventure of life. For the Christian, life and creation is none other than a gift from God. In different parts of our lives we embark on varied adventures where, through the grace of God, we hope in some small way to make this world a better place. People of faith can make that journey hopefully with a love for the God who gave us life and to whom we shall return. Through his sacramental signs and tokens God shows that he is with us in every stage of the adventurous life we enjoy.

Wonder, adventure, joy and anticipation are virtues worth kindling and re-kindling in all our lives for they help us to find thankfulness and love within the ordinary.