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
‘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
I dropped the girls at school, and sighed deeply. It had been a morning of tears, and grumpiness. I felt I had gone ten rounds of emotional battle before 9am, (and lost most of them). I was weary and teary, but I rushed home and got things ready for the trip to Rockingham. I called … Continue reading Slow your Christmas: reflectively
I was talking with a good friend the other day, and she mentioned that what she remembers most in friendships is the things that take time. The beautiful handwritten card from one friend, another friend sitting with her at the hospital while her son had tests, another baking homemade banana bread every time they caught … Continue reading Slow your Christmas: deliberately
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This often quoted passage from Isaiah foretells the birth of Jesus, calling him the Prince of Peace. We only have … Continue reading quiet spirit