Day 3: Brave

You want to run away, but will you stand up and hold out your hands? 

Will you be brave?

Be brave to say who you are. 
Be brave to break away from the fear of darkness.
Be brave to reach out for love.

It seems to me that the darkness, borrowing the voice of sinners, says mockingly to me: "You are dreaming about the light."

Day 2: Not a memory

So Christmas Day has been and gone... It doesn't feel like Christmas at all. 
But those Christmas lights remind us that all our troubles are a distant memory and the love is still here.

This was his real day of triumph.

Day 1: Looking to Chirst

Shout it from the rooftops!

His love is something to shout about and be proud of.

This love is given freely to us through a gift, the birth of a child.

I will teach you how to travel... with the surrender and the love of a child who knows his Father loves him and cannot leave him alone in the hour of danger.

Christmas Day: God is with Us

"God is in Us, God is for Us, God is with Us here and now!"

Peace and Goodwill to you all

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

O Come, O Come Emmanuel, is a hymn that incorporates all of the previous seven days worth of chants, commonly referred to as the 'O Antiphons'.

When listed in reverse order, in Latin, the initial letters of each antiphon spells the Latin phrase Ero Cras.


Emmanuel
Rex Gentium
Oriens
Clavis David                                ERO CRAS translated means "Tomorrow I will come"
Radix Jesse
Adonai
Sapientia

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Children

It is all about children... the celebration of a new birth. A time to party and celebrate.
How many celebrations / parties have you been too, or held in honour of this great occasion? 
They do not have to be raucous affairs, a simple gathering can still be a celebration.

Elizabeth and Zechariah were over the moon with their son, who they named John, in front of all the family. Causing a stir by using a different name. It was a simple gathering, but nevertheless a celebration.

And what of the birth that is about to happen, how will that be celebrated?

How will you encourage your children to celebrate this occasion?
How will you encourage them to remember what this occasion is all about?

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Saviour of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

Third Saturday of Advent: Sing!

In the early stages of pregnancy, there is only the news of being pregnant that is something to shout about. But as the pregnancy develops, so too does the glow of the mother-to-be and they too start to SING of their joy.

They feather the nest... redecorate a room for the nursery... buy clothes... prepare for the birth. But all the time they SING of their joy.

Mary sang of her joy in what is now known as The Magnificat:

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
And his mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
Even as he spoke to out fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

O King of all the Nations, the only joy of every human heart; O keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.

Third Friday of Advent: Motherhood

Elizabeth, the mother-to-be of John the Baptist, is delighted at the news that Mary is pregnant too. 

Similarly, the news that the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, too is pregnant, became news that the world needed to shout about. The joy of something miraculous, the creation of new life.

New life becomes new beginnings, a new journey.

Give thanks to all mothers who have given us all new beginnings and set us on our journey.

O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Third Thursday of Advent: Chosen One

Mary was stunned by the angel Gabriel greeting her as the “favoured one”.
Yet, she understood the duty that was bestowed upon her.

We have all been chosen to be favoured by Him.

In what we say and do, on a daily basis. No matter if we are right or wrong, we are still favoured by Him. 

So what does He favour us with? His gift of love. 

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and lead your captive people into freedom.

Third Wednesday of Advent: Praise

How often do you hear the words: 'Thank you'?

More importantly, how often do you say 'Thank you?

How do these simple words make us feel? Warm, trusted, loved.

This simple act of praise gives across a simple act of love.

We should be saying Thank You to everyone we encounter.

THANK YOU for allowing me to share this message with you.

O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all people; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

Third Tuesday of Advent: Angelic

Angels

Listen to the voices.

Could you be so trusting of a voice that you are strongly inspired to be a 'stand-in' father, knowing that your fiancée is pregnant by another. 

Many men do become 'step' fathers and they only need to look at Joseph as a great example.

So listen to the voices, what are they asking of you?

O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come, stretch out your strong hand to set us free.

Third Monday of Advent: Family

Family bonds.

When you think of all your ancestors, you normally follow the line of your last name. So ignoring all the ancestors on your maternal and paternal grandmothers side.

Think of ALL your relatives past and present.
Think about where you have come from.
Think about all the wisdom that has been passed on to you.

It has been a long journey, a journey through time.

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice!

Rejoice - Excitement as it is almost here! 

Yet we have to wait for what we desire.

Whether it is the safe arrival of loved ones from afar or a recovery from cancer, we wait in prayer and patience, hope and trust.

Be patient but rejoice.

Second Saturday of Advent: Living Simply

During the countdown to Christmas, we are bombarded by glittering commercials urging us to spend freely.

But how many people are not able to spend freely?
How many people do not feel safe?
How many teenagers are left to fend for themselves?

Before you spend freely, give something so that someone who is not able, can.

Then you will truly create the true spirit of Christmas.




I support the charity Centrepoint and urge you to give a unique gift. 

Go to Centrepoint Gifts now.

Second Friday of Advent: A Thing Called Love

WE are sent various people to guide our direction. They may be a teacher, priest, repairman, politician, policeman...

When we see them they do not always fit our image (the wrong colour, gender, ethnic group) we criticise and belittle them, refusing to accept their point of view. 

So which person do you listen to?

Is it a celebrity? 
Is it a specific person you know?
Is it someone on the radio?

Is it someone that has done something wonderful for others?
Is it someone that has done something wonderful for you?

Listen to what they have to say... 
                                ....there is a message for you... somewhere... 
                                ....it is a thing called Love!

Second Thursday of Advent: Creation

Open up your eyes.....

                                  ... to the love around you...
                                  ... to the way the buildings have been crafted... 
                                  ... to the gardens delicately tendered near you...
                                  ... to the trees branching tall...
                                 
How much do you care for the world around you...?
How much effort do you put in to protecting the environment...?
How will you put your praise of creation into environmental action?

Second Wednesday of Advent: Poor, Meek and Humble

To those who are burdened and oppressed by the doctrine of stipulation and dictated laws:

• We are all liberated by the law of love.
• Love is not formal.
• Love is on the inside.
• Love is a trusting relationship.
• Love is based on our own poverty.
• Love is a recognition of salvation.

We are invited to substitute the troubles and desires that enslave us, with the love and faith that will liberate us.

Second Tuesday of Advent: Lost

Just because you are lost, doesn't mean you are lost.

You will always be shown the way, just ask and He will show you the way.

Second Monday of Advent: Be forgiving

By forgiving you have the power to restore a human being.

Second Sunday of Advent: Living in harmony

Hold on to the night, there will be no shame.

Always I want to be with you and make believe in you and want to be with you and live in harmony.

We long for the peaceable kingdom in which predator and prey live side by side, never threatening or harming one another.

This seems so far away when you listen to the news, especially when people live side by side yet cannot find common ground.

How can you live in harmony?
How well do you know your neighbours?
What about the neighbours a few doors down?

Invite them round for a drink and some food. Invite them all round. 
Watch a neighbourhood start living in harmony. 

I did a few years ago. 
Now, most of the street will get together or stop and speak in the street.

First Saturday of Advent: Walk this way

If Jesus was around now, I am sure that he would be singing this song.

When we are feeling low, we know that He is always near. 
We are always listening out for Him.

What about those who are unable to hear Him?
Do we spend time with them so that we can listen out on His behalf?
Do we spend time with those who are in any kind of need?
Do we act as His voice to guide all who are afflicted? 

Share your love.
Visit, talk or just say hello with your neighbours.

First Friday of Advent: Be healed

We sometimes doubt our ability to make a crucial difference in the lives of those who are sick, addicted, misguided. 

Show your love towards them all and believe that the power of prayer has healing properties.

First Thursday of Advent: Build on the rock

Advent is a good time to do a house inspection.
Is the house of your life resting on a rock foundation of hearing and doing? 
Or is it slipping onto the sand of good intentions that get washed away with the tide of events?

It isn’t about saying We Will, but by doing His Will that prepares our hearts to be his dwelling place.

Open your heart to everyone you meet and share your love.

First Wednesday of Advent: Feed the hungry

Hunger is not just about food.... it is also about love.

The hunger for love is just as important.

Love can heal.

Love costs nothing.

Love each other.

Love can be shared with just a simple smile.

First Tuesday of Advent: Follow Me

How will you follow Jesus by making your faith life a priority during Advent?

First Monday of Advent: Believe

I believe in Love...it has no boundaries. It incorporates anyone and everyone

Love is inclusive

Love has no boundaries.

First Sunday of Advent: Love is Coming...

...So Carry On

Advent is a time of joy, thanksgiving and prayer. More importantly it is a time of Love.

Love is sharing...
Love is giving...
Love is togetherness...
Love is coming...