Angels announced the First Advent of our Lord, as they will the Second.
We too join in the singing and the Joy of their God's-Spell announcements.
Music - Laurie Barber
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So we’ve come to the serious waiting time that is Advent as we long for the joys of Christmas, the memories, inspiration, spirit and impetus of Christmas.
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The words of this beautiful Christmas song were written by Margaret Rose, and the music by Michael Head.
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Someone to enlighten our darkness
Someone to help in our distress
Someone whose presence warms on coldest nights
Walking close beside us on our Journey
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Thoughts on the Birth of Christ from St. John Chrysostom --
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The gift of Christmas in all the elements of the gift-wrapping and packaging of Bethlehem in Judea, in fulfilment of ancient prophecy. -- 'born this day a Saviour Who is Christ - the Lord!'
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How great is the love that the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called the Children of God. And that is what we are...
See I John 3:1 - 3
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We never know, can never fathom fully, the lasting power of our actions, the staying power of our words - even one little sentence, one little phrase; one little word.
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The photo is from the Albert and Victoria Museum in London, England.
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The Church celebrates Epiphany on January 6th of each year.
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A Lenten Resource: The Journey
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It was difficult at first for God’s People who were accepting Jesus as the promised and hoped-for Messiah to allow that perhaps He too was come for the deliverance of the whole world.
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What can I bring Him – poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a Lamb, If I were a wise-man, I would do my part; Yet what I
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You know the grace of our Lord Jesus, how that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor – that we through His poverty might become rich. — St. Paul (2 Corinthians 8:9)
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For the Shepherds (if one may speculate and think of groups representatively), there is to be brought unique gift and purpose, as in the following:
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Click on picture/movie and listen as you read.
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Poets’, preachers’ letters, words —
Strong and weak, inspire to share,
Dull shepherds, mighty angels’ chantry:
Stories lift like birds in air.
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Real worth is found in the Babe of Bethlehem, in the Christ of Glory!
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Sometimes, somehow, despite the business of the Season, there can be a strange calm that settles upon us, even upon us last-minute, late-evening shoppers.
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I love all the Christmas music -- the cantatas, the carols. I also really like some old Christmas poems. Here’s one by Christopher Fry” -
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Christmas by Candlelight: St. John's Prologue
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I play for my own amazement (erm, amusement) and in wonder and joy at the Message of Christmas.
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In many cold climes Advent days are short and cold.
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They say one can never really go home again - that to go home is to find that all has changed, that everything has become very different from how you remember it.
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John 1:11 - "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."
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We are always thrilled to hear of the birth of the baby. Conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow well up within.
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Advent means waiting.
But actually, I hate waiting. I’m one of the most impatient people you’ll meet.
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God told Job that at the creation of the world "the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy."
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The People that walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon them that live in the shadow of the valley of death, upon them has the light shone . . .
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Our planet is but a small spec in a galaxy which is itself part of billions of stars and planets. And yes, from a distance it seems so beautiful, so ordered, peaceful and calm.
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Is there a more poignant and powerful carol than: ‘Joy to the World’ ? Well actually, I love them all, all the carols.
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