Hark the Herald Angels sing.
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
The Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell.
The angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around.
A shining throng of angels praising God.
A few weeks ago I spent a Friday night in Hanley at Nightchurch. At about 1'o clock on the Saturday morning I was sat chatting with a couple of clubbers who had come in to get out of the cold, have a cup of tea and a chat. They started talking about angels. One of them had been advising the others about asking their angels to help them out when they were going through tough times. These girls were absolutely convinced that they have guardian angels watching over them, who answer their prayers and who leave white feathers as signs of encouragement and hope.
Continued here ...
Saturday 27 December 2008
Monday 15 December 2008
Joy to the world?
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Now, in common with a lot of people, Paul was in the habit of putting the things that he thought were most important at the beginning of his lists. In this case, the emphasis is on the instruction to “Rejoice always”. One of the reasons that I think that this is the case, is that joy seems to have been a particularly important idea to Paul, and one that he valued very highly in the church at Thessalonica. In the very first paragraph of the letter, he wrote, “... you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers... ”1:6-7.
Now, I have to say that this is an instruction that I struggle with. How can I rejoice always when the world is in such a mess? How can I rejoice always when people that I love are ill or in pain? How can I rejoice always when people are losing their jobs and are afraid that they will lose their homes? Isn't it just insensitive and unrealistic?
Continued here...
Now, in common with a lot of people, Paul was in the habit of putting the things that he thought were most important at the beginning of his lists. In this case, the emphasis is on the instruction to “Rejoice always”. One of the reasons that I think that this is the case, is that joy seems to have been a particularly important idea to Paul, and one that he valued very highly in the church at Thessalonica. In the very first paragraph of the letter, he wrote, “... you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers... ”1:6-7.
Now, I have to say that this is an instruction that I struggle with. How can I rejoice always when the world is in such a mess? How can I rejoice always when people that I love are ill or in pain? How can I rejoice always when people are losing their jobs and are afraid that they will lose their homes? Isn't it just insensitive and unrealistic?
Continued here...
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Weary at Christmas?
I wonder if you are feeling weary today? I know that I am, a little.
I think it might be worth naming some of those things that might be making us feel weary.
They might be health problems, either our own or those of people we are close to. Worry about finances, and how we're going to pay the bills this winter. Concern for children or grandchildren who don't know Jesus. The many ongoing tasks of keeping home and family fed, clothed, clean. The expectation of the Christmas season: presents to be bought, people to be entertained, church services to go to. Grief that won't leave us alone.
It seems to me that the things that make us weary are things that go on for a long time. They wear us out, wear us down, wear through us.
It is with these things in mind that we come to the promises of God we have heard read today.
Continued here...
I think it might be worth naming some of those things that might be making us feel weary.
They might be health problems, either our own or those of people we are close to. Worry about finances, and how we're going to pay the bills this winter. Concern for children or grandchildren who don't know Jesus. The many ongoing tasks of keeping home and family fed, clothed, clean. The expectation of the Christmas season: presents to be bought, people to be entertained, church services to go to. Grief that won't leave us alone.
It seems to me that the things that make us weary are things that go on for a long time. They wear us out, wear us down, wear through us.
It is with these things in mind that we come to the promises of God we have heard read today.
Continued here...
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