We’re in the season of advent – a time of remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus, and expectant waiting for when He comes again.
In just one week we’ll be celebrating Christmas Day. It’s worth contemplating the first Christmas, and remembering that
the Light has come…
Rejoice!
We’ve been to two carol/Christmas services today – I’m feeling very festive!
It’s been raining most of the day, so the cheer had a faint dampness about it… not enough to dampen the fun, though. The journey to the service tonight was a bit dicey – at some stages we could barely see ahead through the rain – but we got there safely.
I AM SO GLAD WE WENT! 😀
I have been doing so much better this year, but I still have bad days. On a bad day the thought of going to not one, but two, biggish events would seem almost impossible – even if I got there, I may be too fatigued/in pain to enjoy it… Today was just right. Lots of joy and reflecting on Christmas truth. Lots of singing! The morning included drama, littlies banging drums or singing (while Mary swung poor baby Jesus round, sometimes by his head), and some great singing. The evening included drama/comedy, clowns, a full choir and band…and some great singing.
We paused to take a breath amidst the bustle of the season.
And remembered the baby, born to be King.
Here’s the story (in the words of children) that was played during the service this morning.
No, not the weather! Although I have had the air conditioner on for a little bit tonight… I’ve had a bit of a cold this week, which got better mid week, then mutated to a minor chest infection over the last two days. This has meant I haven’t done anything too strenuous lately – just catching up with some stuff. Not the mending. What is it about mending? The more I do, the more it seems to multiply when I’m not looking…
Part of my non-strenuosity(?) has been listening to some new (to me) music. For King & Country is playing at Riverlife Church at the end of January – there were still tickets available as of today, but get them soon before they sell out! Here’s some songs.
I have also been trying to figure out what we need to organise before Christmas… I not only need to get my ducks in a row – I have to work out how many ducks I’m supposed to have! I’m looking forward to Christmas this year – just have to find where all the carol services are! 🙂
Another song to finish with – and good night ❤
The days are getting warmer and the evenings longer. The birds are singing, flowers fling sweet scent into the air, and the skies are bright with blue surrounded banked clouds.
Spring is sweeping out the winter, ready for new ventures…
We were privileged today to watch four baptisms – each with different stories, each signifying a new beginning. One of the words spoken was about animals hibernating, but waking in the spring – every year a new spring…
It’s a time for awakening.
For the possibilities of new directions, fresh understandings. Anything is possible!
Songs for tonight –
The final reading for the service tonight, a promise for whatever is to come.
Isaiah 59:21 – 60:5
21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
60 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
…of life and thoughts lately. It’s the first day of Spring, apparently – just the time to contemplate the bits and pieces.
I went to a conference last Saturday, where I got a little wooden stand with various cards to put in it.
This one is one of my favourite verses, against a background of the arena to practise it in. Well, maybe not the moon. At least not yet…
This is my view when I swing at the park, especially if I really get going 😀
Such blue skies at the moment! Lots of birdsong, too.
Here’s some flowers I got the other week, surrounded by feathers I’ve picked up over the years, and an abandoned nest.
A close up, because they’re beautiful ❤
…and here is my song for the evening.
We’ve been going to a church in the evenings on Sunday for a few weeks now. The music is always wonderful, the preaching great, and we meet up with friends and worship together. Tonight started with a song we haven’t sung for a long time.
It was a bit of a nudge from another era in our lives. You know how you can start with fire and energy, but life sandpapers off the rough edges, and quietens down the flames? That’s not necessarily a bad thing… you need a bit of maturity and steadiness over time. Sometimes it’s good to recapture a bit of that youthful exuberance, though – the leaping past fear into an uncertain future. Tonight was almost like a voice at my shoulder saying, “What have you forgotten? Turn, and look again…”
This morning’s sermon was about prophecy – forthtelling, encouraging and edifying others. This evening’s was about hungering and thirsting for God. There’s been some good meals today!
Another coffee post! 😀
I’ve been out for coffee a couple of days this week. This afternoon was at Market Organics with my Babe, where we shared cheezecake, talked about our lives at this point and the possible future.
Chocolate/mint not-quite-cheesecake (not sure what it was made of)
Wednesday I had to have a mammogram (just a check up) so decided to go down to Rafter & Rose afterwards. I figured that after being squished and (wo)manhandled, a mocha and gluten free muffin was not too much to ask for!
The reminder over my table 😀
…and a bunny to watch over me.
My little nook (and muffin – the mocha came later) It was quiet and I was able to drift into dreaming for a while, and have a bit of prayer time. Sometimes the world overwhelms, and it takes an effort to remember to enjoy the quiet places…
I’ve also been discovering new songs this week. Here’s a new favourite.
Looking forward to the weekend…
All I have left to say is –
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
1000 Fields of Roses 