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Well, it’s a proud dad day today, Zoe. I’m at our daughter’s school Christmas play later. A glitter-drenched, all-singing, all-dancing performance of Sleeping Beauty. I’m guaranteed to be a sobbing wreck. Although some of my tears will be of relief.ÌýÌýThis play has been the bane of my life. Tested every shred of my Christian goodwill. The girls have converted my study into a dressing room and rehearsal studio. I can barely get in it now for props and blusher. My daughter has a speaking part - as ‘Royal palace cook number four’. Her line - ‘Hello Bert - are you OK? You look shattered’ -Ìýwas a joy to hear being practiced. For the first 300 times. Now it’s insufferable.Ìý

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That said, I can identify with this character Bert. People keep telling me I also look shattered. Lacking my usual zip and vigour. I keep yawning at the most inconvenient times. Like during my own sermons. I think I’m overdoing the carol services. Perhaps spreading a bit too much festive cheer round our parish locals. I could certainly do with an early night. But I know I have it easy, really.ÌýÌýI’ve been meeting and ministering to some seriously weary people. Take one dad I met outside church the other day. He told me his wife was recovering in hospitalÌýafter giving birth. To their TENTH child. I can’t imagine it. I also chatted to a dead-on-her feet mum who’d just finished a 12-hour night shift at a care home. She faced a morning’s shopping with her crying toddler for company.

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I nearly always feel a bit overwhelmed at some point over Christmas. It can be a draining season. Yet I know I need more than a few extra hours kip. For me, real rest always goes deeper. The Christian way is to try to be really deliberate - ruthless even - about recharging. Jesus encourages the ‘worn out’ and the ‘burnt out’ to seek more unhurried rhythms. To learn to live freely and lightly. Never easy, admittedly, in a house with excited eleven-year-olds. Yet if I find just ten minutes of daily quiet with God in a calming place - its revitalising. Like balm to my weary spirit. Now if I can just stay awake for this play, Zoe. It doesn’t need another Sleeping Beauty.