An old hymn whose truths are ever new.
‘The Church’s One Foundation’ - S. J. Stone 1866 -
Public Domain Tune: Aurelia
|
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
|
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.
|
|
There's got to be another way.
|
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
|
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!'
|
God so loved the world (cosmos)...
A brief meditation on John 3: 16,17
|
Writing in the Washington Post, March 8, 2018, Sarah Pulliam Bailey introduces -- and may re-introduce to many, the Christian author Madeline L’Engle who apparently managed through the years by her
|
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.
|
St. John's Prologue to his Gospel record is the depiction of new creation that not only harkens back to the original Creation but also shows God's new creating work - once again through Jesus.
|
"The earth is the Lord's... Psalm 24:1
We belong to the One who created us. And we are privileged to be stewards of all creation (not that we've been very good at it).
|
I met a man from Syria who only a short time before had come to faith in Jesus Christ. In the brief time I had with him, he shared how he first encountered the Saviour.
|
|
We love God who first loved us.
|
The Christ has died, reversed the flow
Of history, time and weal and woe;
The crimson tide that spreads its store
Has brought its cleansing to our shore.
|
|
|
So, God meets us (we are told) in the midst of life. Comes to any one of us, young or old, rich or poor, busy and unconcerned or not.
|
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.
|
Hebrews 2:11 – “Both the one who makes mankind holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
|
Year ago now, British author Dorothy Sayers wrote a murder mystery of this title - 'Whose Body?'. That title helps us also, to explore the doctrine of the incarnation.
|
Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace.
God became man, the Word was made flesh.
Christ was born of a Virgin. Christ suffered. Christ was crucified.
|
|
|
|
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)
|
Real worth is found in the Babe of Bethlehem, in the Christ of Glory!
|
Prudentius Clemens Aurelius lived between 348 and 410 AD. A lawyer by training he was for many years employed in the civil service of Spain.
|
I love all the Christmas music -- the cantatas, the carols. I also really like some old Christmas poems. Here’s one by Christopher Fry” -
|
Christmas by Candlelight: St. John's Prologue
|
John 1:11 - "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."
|
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.
|
Is there a more poignant and powerful carol than: ‘Joy to the World’ ? Well actually, I love them all, all the carols.
|
