Luke 2: 7

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Happy Christmas!

Just want to say "Happy Christmas" to all who read this blog! Have a wonderful Christmas and wishing you peace and joy in 2008.

Here's a Christmas poem I wrote last year.

THE STAR

We have travelled for so long I can barely remember home,
Or what it is like to sleep in the same place every night.
We have rested in the tents of strangers, a palace, and simple homes,
And many times slept under the star, the one that shines so bright.

The nights are very cold, and the days so hot and airless,
As we walk and rest, walk and rest, get up and walk once more.
We stop for food and water at busy meeting places,
And under palm trees men talk in tongues I’ve never heard before.

We travel as if searching, unsure of our destination,
And no-one seems to care why we follow this star.
But steadily I follow my master, for he is certain,
That this star is special, this star that has led us so far.

At last the star halts – have we found what we’re looking for?
I thought we were going to visit a king or a prince!
Instead we are here, standing in straw
Amongst livestock in a rough and dirty place.

But at the end of the building
I see my master and his friends kneeling,
And he is smiling, such a smile upon his face,
As the precious gifts are given to the family
And a baby – a baby who somehow shines,
And I feel love and peace in this place,
So I settle,
And rest,
At last.

The Perfect Christmas Present

Perhaps I should say what my perfect Christmas present would be ...........

For the world - peace and harmony

For Scotland - snow, with blue skies

For my city - lots of church bells at midnight on Christmas Eve

For my Church - God's special presence with each person

For my friends - whatever they wish for themselves - and more!

For my family - to know they are deeply loved - and that all is well

For myself - a puppy! (Can't have one - well, not at the moment - but that

would be my perfect Christmas gift.......)

And for everyone everywhere who doesn't already know Him - Jesus - not just as a baby but as their Saviour!

Soooo Busy .........

Just in case anyone is wondering why I'm not posting anything new.... I'm rather busy at the moment, writing assignments for my CWC course. Well, actually, there is a lot more than that going on - Christmas is only two weeks away and I have done practically nothing about it yet! Eek!

Is everyone else organised?

Would love to know what everyone's perfect present would be? (Go on - even if you've never left comment before - after all, it is Christmas!)

ANGELS

As Christmas approaches, thought I'd post a Christmas poem or two. This one is from 2001.

ANGELS

Gliding over the earth

Pure white brightness

Picking out mountain and plain.

Whispered flight stirring

Forest and sea.

Winds cease,

Clouds part

Under the piercing light

And ageless song

Of the gathered throng.

"Glory ...

Glory to God ...

Glory to God in the highest,

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace to men

On whom His favour rests."

The fearful men on the the hill

Run to the place where the star is shining,

And the child with the gentle face

Lies in simple splendour,

For ever to be adored.

"Wonderful Counsellor,

Prince of Peace."

Nothing will ever be the same.

God's Son - the gift of grace.

Our Sarah

At one point this week it all came back to me - just how fragile
Sarah's place in society is. She is now 36 and suffers from
hydrocephalus and epilepsy. The hydrocephalus was recognised when she was six weeks old - and I had suffered around four weeks without any sleep! The epilepsy was caused because of all the neurosurgery.

I do not mention this because I'm feeling sorry for myself - Sarah brings sunshine as well as challenges into our lives. But I have concern for her - and all those who, like Sarah, are not quite as well-equipped for life as the rest of us.

That being said, Sarah is totally amazing! Perhaps I'll write more about her sometime.

Pictures show Sarah with her dad and nephew.

Indulgence

INDULGENCE

There is something simply delicious
About a book shop
The smells, the sights, the sounds
Glossy print, a hint of ink
A feast of colour piled high -
All displayed to please the eye
Tempting crackle of new paper
Seasoned with crisp binding
And a reverend hush
As partakers of the banquet
Whisper and admire.
Each course is sampled, savoured
The best ones chosen
And the diners
Leave the building content
With a doggy-bag of delight.

© Sheena Conroy, (2000) "In Praise of Poets", p. 19, Anchor Books: Peterborough