Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Oh Christmas Lights

"The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone... For to us a child is born."

"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Monday, December 03, 2012

A little inspiration when feeling sick

I've been in bed since yesterday morning with the dreaded sick bug, throwing up everything I eat that isn't cream crackers or Shreddies. These are three things which have brought me a LOT of joy, excitement and inspiration in that time which I want to share with you on this, the third day of advent.

A short inspiring article about people, lonely and desperate finding home in another's family. I can't put into words the passion I have for this.

A cracking documentary "Solar Mamas", part of the Why Poverty series currently being run by the BBC, which again covers a subject I am passionate about, and reminded me of a handful of my fabulous ESOL students (inspiring women with little or no edcuation, illiterate, little or no family or community support, but determined to learn, to better their lives and for the good of their children.) A must-watch!

A beautifully written Christmas song. Lyrics here. Love came down. Nuff said.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

God never left

I've been thinking about how Jesus coming to earth isn't "God with us" in an ethereal, squint your eyes funny and you might see him kind of sense. He was tangible, breathing, fully God, fully human, real. And his coming changed everything - after Jesus died, rose again, ascended to heaven, God never left. God with us is now God in us. Mind-blowing!

But what does that look like...?

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Anticipation and advent calendars


I love advent calendars. I love the counting the days and the excitement it builds. I’ve been trying to hold back the excitement at least until December began but it’s rather difficult what with Glasgow deciding to put up all their Christmas lights and Christmas market up in mid November! For me it’s the anticipation of a beautiful time: lights, family, getting to listen to Sufjan’s new Christmas albums(!!!) and other much loved Christmas music, all the lovely Christmas food, putting up decorations, all those silly little traditions we associate with Christmas but are just lovely and fun. But can you just imagine... the whole of heaven must have been waiting with bated breath on that day all that while ago that we celebrate, Jesus’ arrival on earth. It was and is a BIG deal. God coming to earth in human form, God on a rescue mission, coming to free humanity from the clutches of sin and death… hold on, I just need to catch my breath!
Sooo the plan is (NB I'm not so good at sticking to such plans, but hold me to it!) a blogpost every day this advent to remind myself as much as anything else that Christmas celebrates Jesus coming and everything it achieved...

Written hundreds of years before he came along, in the words of the Message paraphrase of the Bible.

“For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
the running of the world. 
His names will be: Amazing Counselor, 
Strong God, 
Eternal Father, 
Prince of Wholeness. 
His ruling authority will grow, 
and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.” 
Isaiah 9:6-7