Christmas

Ah, dearest Jesus, little one, prepare a bed to lie upon, a soft clean bed within my heart, that you and I may never part. (TIS 296)

Every shop I went into I looked to see if their was a nativity set for sale (not that I needed one) and there were none. I could not find one anywhere. Santa yes, tinsel yes, baubles yes, trees yes. but no nativities, no sign of Christ, born in Bethlehem, Saviour of the world. I felt a sadness  because in all the people shopping no one had the chance to see God in the season. This year in the community hall of the village I live in I placed my collection of nativity sets on a table for all to reflect on.  There are six from different countries, the oldest is from Germany and is over 150 years old. I thought of that one in particular and how many eyes had seen that nativity over those years and pondered the wonder of Christmas. I also look at them  and see how the light of Christ shines around the world.  My prayer this Christmas in a very anxious and troubled world, is that God's love will grow through us all and shine as a light in the world.

May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                        Bethlehem today

Take off your shoes.

 Take, take off your shoes, you're standing on holy ground. Well, the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, from waters beneath to heavens above, Take, take of your shoes. TIS 651

I can not hear the melodious call of the blackbird  or the bell like tinkling of  the tinniest bird on the bough and not think of our creator.

I can not see the most beautiful deep purple flower on the Buddleia tree without stooping to smell its rich honey perfume or look at a plain ordinary succulent that has raised up an incredible cluster of dainty pink flowers on a stem and not think of our creator.

I can not look into the crib of a nativity , and not see our creator. Instead of just a baby I see the one who created all we have including love and life.  Those tiny hands had the power to create, to float planets above the earth, fling stars in the sky and have the grace to give us light for life and dark for rest and shower us with continual love.  Its a special feeling when we can see more than just what we are looking at.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                            exquisite creator

Never let it lose its joy.

O what a gift, what a wonderful gift. TIS 278

The Christmas gifts are starting to gather under the tree and soon there will be gatherings on Christmas day to open them, to express joy and excitement, food and laughter. But, soon it passes, the gifts lose their gloss, the tinsel starts to droop and the Christmas wrapping is in the bin  - the day has gone and life resumes as it was before.  But we know the real gift - the lasting gift -that brings great joy and feeds our soul. The gift of Jesus, not for a day, not for the moment but a gift that hold all we need for life. 

Now none but Christ can satisfy.

None other name for me

There's love and life and lasting joy,

Lord Jesus found in the. (anonymous)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ . -For life.

Anne, servant of the Lord

                                                                        Jerusalem.

Pause and enjoy life's wonders

 His name is Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God. Isaiah 9:6

I stopped by the fading vine of the sweet peas with the last few flowers remaining and I inhaled long and deep the sweet perfume - long and deep I inhaled as if to draw it into myself in an attempt to capture all I could to hold the memory until next spring. I walked away with a real blessing and it was like a little celebration. Life is good if we want to make it so. I read this quote: Each day can be a day of  celebration if we just pause to enjoy life's' wonders, large and small.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Anne, servant of the Lord

God's love is peace.

 God is here among us. He continues to be our refuge and strength. Paraphrase Psalm 46

Where do you find peace? That stillness of the heart and soul, that space where there is nothing but you and God? I heard it said that a place of peace is so, because there is nothing there. Its like walking along the  beach with the sand pushing between your toes and there is nothing other than  the sand, the sunset and the quiet rolling of the gentle sea. Or sitting outside at the break of day as the rising sun kisses the night away and I am reminded in the stillness that this quiet, this stillness is 'love' listening and God is always arriving. That to me is peace, a lasting peace that goes beyond understanding and so it is and so it will always be.

                                                In the presence of  Peace

What shall I cry.

 Comfort, O comfort my people says your God. Isaiah 40:1

I see the spring growth of the grass already browning off and dying in the summer heat and the first flush of the roses, glorious in their time are fading, dropping petals and coming to the end of their life. Nothing is for ever and our hearts can be anxious living in a world of China tensions, climate change, bushfires and a killer disease. All a threat to our existence as is aging, but the one thing that will stand forever, and will sustain us for ever is the fact that God is an everlasting God who holds our gaze and his word will stand forever, nothing can blot that out.  ' The grass withers, the flower fades but the  word of our God will stand forever. 'Isaiah 40:8.  If ever there is a time to read Isaiah it is now.

May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways.

Anne, servant of the Lord

                                 The flowers fade.