When the angel first appears to Mary her first reaction is not joy! In fact, one version of the account in Luke says she was “greatly troubled” and another says she was “thoroughly shaken.” The angel has to reassure her and tell her “not to be afraid.” In fact, the reaction from Mary followed this … Continue reading In the Waiting: Find strength in joy
The birth of Jesus is not the end of the story. Yes, it is the advent, the arrival that we celebrate at Christmas. But this baby still had to live, he had to grow and learn, he had to start his ministry, he had to gather his disciples, he had to teach, he had to … Continue reading In the Waiting: Hold on to Hope
My youngest daughter decided she was going to read the bible. We suggested she start with the new testament, and after a short while reading she exclaimed, “there’s a lot of babies in this story.” She had been reading the gospel of Matthew which lists the lineage of Jesus. Starting from Abraham, through David, to … Continue reading In the waiting: slow down
This year has been one of waiting for me. At first it was a waiting that led to a disappointment. Then it was a waiting that I felt compelled to do, even though all that was within me yearned for movement. I have been waiting on others, waiting on peace, and waiting on God. I … Continue reading In the Waiting: Advent Devotional
‘One day to go’, so says the Christmas countdown that my youngest has been turning over religiously each morning. One day before the noise, and the mayhem, and the laughter, and the arguments, and the tears. Because Christmas does not magically make us exempt from those things. It is a day just like any other, … Continue reading Slow your Christmas: generously
“It is a time of hope and good cheer, to last throughout the year”. Or so it seems as the Christmas tunes on constant replay meld themselves together in my head. But what if you are feeling anything but cheery? What if this year has been pure hard slog from day one and it never … Continue reading Slow your Christmas: hopefully