Christmas.

 Come and worship Christ the new born King. TIS 309

This is such a special time of the year. Step aside from the rush and bustle of Christmas shopping and  all that goes with trying to get gifts brought and wrapped in time and feeling flustered and threatening to yourself that this rush wont be part of your Christmas preparations next year, that you will plan it better, earlier - Step aside a moment and reflect on Christ and his birth. How he came into this world to bring love and salvation  as a saviour of all, breath in his love and all he means to you.   At this time may the love of Jesus fall on Ukraine and may there be peace in Jerusalem.

I want to thank everyone for your encouragement and support of our Blogspot reflections and I trust you have benefited from them personally and in sharing with others and using them in your ministry. I look forward to sharing again in 2023.

Emmanuel, God is with us. Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                              Christ the new born King.

Making a difference.

 'I am the voice of one calling out in the desert.' John 1:23

Can we learn and begin something new this Christmas and carry it into the New Year? When God sent Jesus down to live among us that first Christmas he sent him to bring the light of love - a four letter word packed with so much potential. The potential for wars to cease, for the homeless to be housed,    the refugee  to be embraced and welcomed, for the hungry to be fed, for the poor to have plenty, the unwelcomed welcomed.  That is love, true love not just love as an intention but love as action and a determination in the name of Jesus to bring change about. When you think of this four letter word packed with potential, what comes into your mind?

Let the peace of God dwell in your heart.    Anne Servant of the Lord

                                                      Light and love came down.

Go duck Go!

 God created.........all kinds of birds. He blessed them all.........told the birds to increase in number. Gen 1: 21-22 (Paraphrased) 

Yesterday coming out of the crematorium I held up all the traffic as two very concerned adult ducks escorted six of their babies across the road. The fussing of the parents and their concern for the safety of their little ones was a wonder to see. This little family of ducks had crossed two major roads without harm. As I watched them arrive in the safety of the scrub I let out a sigh of relief and whispered 'God was looking after you all.'  Gen 1:21-22 came to mind: God created all kinds of birds.He blessed them all and told the birds to increase in number. 

May you find a God moment in your day today.    Anne, servant of the Lord

                                                Up you go little ones!

Star bright

 How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns.' Isa 52:7

I still recall one of  the most precious Christmas gift I have received from anyone when I remember some years ago one of the small children at church  came up to me at the greeting of the peace and putting her small hand in mine she placed a tiny red star there and said.' This is for you, to remind you that Christmas is coming.' She was all of four years old.  It reminded me of the Wise Men and the guiding star they were given and the star that shone so bright for the shepherds just over Bethlehem. Its amazing the impact of something as simple as a star given at the right time can have!

                                                    The door into the chapel on shepherds field

Morning blessings

 May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day. TIS 609

As I sat in the sacred space I found myself saying to God the lovely word I had read  that come to mind now and then, these words: : God  Catch me off guard,  surprise me with some blessing, and you know what that blessing was this morning? It was the tiny garden heroes, the butterflies in the sweet smelling Buddleia bush and the busy bees in the flowering ground covers, tiny tiny legs laden with pollen, their treasure for the day. How wonderful it is to see God in the big and the small. How wonderful that what we see draws our thoughts to God. 

            May the peace of God fill your life every single day.  Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                           The Buddleia bush - a delight for the butterflies.

The morning mystery.

 In the morning Lord, you hear my voice. In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

I love the mystery of the morning. The space between night and day and in the quiet and stillness the blackbird is calling. I love the increasing chorus of the bird calls, the morning choir. I love the dew laden grass and how it falls softly on the roses. I love the time of just me and God. I love the mystery of the morning. What do you love about the morning?

May the peace of Christ fill your life every single day.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                 The glory of sunrise.