An advent reflection

Christmases 2007 and 2008 were full of wonder for Princess Morag. While she listened to the story of Jesus' birth, she was keenly aware of the new life growing inside her and felt a closer connection to the Christmas story than ever before. And suddenly Mary seemed to matter a lot more; she was not some side-line character - she was amazing, an inspiration, someone to be marvelled.

Motherhood binds women together in a way nothing else can, and the binding element is pain and sacrifice. It is absolutely inevitable from the moment of conception that this will be the outcome. So in this advent season Princess Morag prays for all mothers: that they wait with Mary for the joyful birth of Jesus, receive him in their hearts and be filled with the love that will bear any pain or sacrifice for their children whether they are on earth or already in heaven.

Princess What's your name?

Princess Morag has reached the new world and is settling in nicely with lots of space for the little master and maiden to play away the sunny days. Meeting people and making friends is being hindered slightly by the decision made 31 years ago by her parents to give her the lovely Scottish name that she bears. "What's your name?" is asked followed by some strange attempt at repeating the very simple two syllables that Princess Morag just uttered. It is all to do with emphasis and accent and apparently it is more difficult than Princess Morag realised. She has considered using a different name but the problem with that is that she has always been pretty happy with the one that she was given and can't really bear the thought of answering to a different label. So perseverance is the answer, plus she has worked out her preferred pronunciation: "More-rag" - the coaching of the locals can now commence!