Love is in the air. As the 14th February approaches every store has its Valentine cards and its gifts. Hotels are offering romantic meals and get-away breaks. Romeo’s and Juliet are trying to compose loving sonnets and songwriters are trying to write new songs about love.
It’s worth remembering, though, that there are different kinds of love. The father of the bride giving a speech on his daughter’s wedding day will say how much he loves her and his toast will wish her all the happiness in the world.
A birthday speech for a mother will usually be given because she is special to her son or daughter. That son or daughter wants to tell her how much her family appreciates all she has done for them during her lifetime.
Love can be shown in action too, by volunteering to help others. The thousands of people who raise funds, work in third world countries or with those who are ill, poor or homeless are all expressing love in a very special way. You can love a sport or a type of food. Love is being expressed by the godparent who gives a christening or baptismal speech or the grandchild who gives a eulogy at his/her grandmother’s funeral.
In fact the more you think about it the more you realise that love really does make the world go around.

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The news of an impending baby is greeted in many different ways. For some poor people there is consternation as they worry about another mouth to feed. For others there is delight the prospect of a son to inherit the family farm. Yet more worry about the baby’s health especially if there is an inherited genetic problem in the family. For most people though there is a mixture of delight, excitement and a little apprehension thrown in for good measure.
Whatever about planned parenthood there is plenty of work to be done when you know the baby is on the way. Will the mother continue working? What colour will you paint the nursery and what sort of buggy or car restraint will you buy?  Then there is the whole question of what will the baby be named?
Christians baptise their children of course and often a parent or a Godparent will give a Christening or baptismal speech… Jews on the other hand will have a Brit Milah ceremony at which the baby will be named.  Others don’t bother with any ceremony and simply call the child after its father or its grandmother or even a famous film or sporting star. Some of the names given will be so odd or embarrassing that, once the children have grown, they will change it by deed poll.
Whether you have a baby shower or not a baby is usually welcomed for what they are.
When you look at their tiny hands, their wide eyed gaze and feel their soft, soft skin you know every baby born is simply another miracle.

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Has it ever occurred to you that there are links between weddings and the seasons? A spring wedding, like the season itself is about growth and a new beginning. The flowers on the altar will probably be spring flowers such as daffodils and the day will be filled with promise.
Roses, though, are more likely to be used in a summer wedding and the photographs will probably be taken in beautiful garden settings. The sunshine will add to the occasion and everything will be bright and cheerful and happy. The couple’s joy is reflected in the summer season.
Autumn weddings are more likely to be windswept occasions. The bridesmaids may be wearing the colours of autumn and the wedding bower may be decorated with golden leaves. The smell of chrysanthemums will fill the church and the wedding photographs may show a veil blowing in the wind… Like the harvest itself the wedding will reflect the bounty of nature and promise fulfilled.
Winter brides often choose Christmas weddings and such weddings are likely to feature furry capes and ice cold diamonds. The bride’s bouquet may include rich berries and the wedding location is likely to be decorated with traditional holly and ivy. It’s appropriate that the season of caring and sharing should be the one chosen to celebrate marriage which is ultimately about loving one another.

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We all like to be made feel welcome but have you ever thought of the many ways that happens in an ordinary lifetime? If you are born into a Christian family you will be welcomed into the church with a Christening/Baptismal speech. As a small child you feel comfortable and welcome every time your parents hold out their arms to you although, of course, you cannot express that feeling in words. You are probably gladly received at birthday parties too but again you take it for granted and don’t realise that you are being welcomed. When you go on visits to doting grandparents it will seem natural that they gladly receive you into their hearts and home.
As you grow older you will go to school and a teacher will usually give a welcome to students at re-opening of school year speech. You will also be made to feel wanted at any clubs and societies you may join. You may get married and on the day of your wedding your future father-in-law will usually welcome you into his family. When you begin work there is the staff welcome or induction speeches. In fact all through your working life there will be conferences and meetings at which you will be received with open arms. So if and when you yourself are rolling out the red carpet for guests ensure that you make them know how much you value their presence. In other words make them feel as welcome as those proverbial flowers in Spring.

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