I just found myself caught up again in an advert for the Salvation Army Christmas appeal.

I have worked with Salvation Army projects in England. They have to survive in a harsh social care environment. The advert describes the familiar cutting edge of the work they do with street sleepers.

I know all the arguments- people end up on the streets for all sorts of reasons, and need to be facilitated to help themselves- out of the destructive cycles that brought them there. Well meaning sticking plasters don’t work in complex social crises.

But if I was down to the bottom of me, and found myself on the street, a hot drink and a hand on my shoulder would be no token. It might get me up the next day.

A cup of sweet tea on a cold night might not change the world, but the hand that served it might be the start of something called hope.

And a thick blanket will never wrap the worries of a generation, but a young girl whose bright lights have gone dark might instead find grace.

And if some stinking socks are removed and twisted toes are unbound in a warm soapy bowl, there will be no world peace. But it might being peace to one persons world, for a while…

So go on- out with the credit cards.

And the flugel horns.