2017 What an interesting year There is a saying, "May you live in interesting times, and come to the notice of the authorities." That phrase is believed to be a curse. My interesting time this year was July and August, my work was deteriorating due to ill health and at the end of August I …
Category: God blogs
A very messy Christmas
The last straw Today was our Messy Christmas Crib Service at Holy Trinity Huddersfield. It started off with activities for the children, making cardboard crowns, camels out of food, pipe-cleaner stars for the Christmas tree, that sort of thing. Then the service started. between Christmas carols the Christmas story was acted out by children dressed …
Preparation: Too busy
Christmas, a time of stress. All the preparations to make for Christmas, buying the perfect present, wrapping, sending, writing all the cards, sending. Then there's the house to clean and decorate, and a tree to put up indoors. Then there's all the festive food to buy and cook. All whilst holding down a full time …
Preparation: The sixth virgin
Got oil? The penultimate Advent blog. It is about being in it for the long haul. Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but …
Preparation: Two warnings
Two warnings Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As …
Preparation: Lo! He comes
Lo! He comes with clouds descending The Advent carol brings us to the next topic. Jesus Christ will return. That is not something we only remember at Advent. The Anglican liturgy remembers that in the communion liturgy: Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again The return of Jesus Christ to judge the …
Preparation: The love of Mary
The fourth candle: Love In this final week of Advent, our attention is on love. The following Scripture verses may sound very familiar: Look for the call to love in these words. Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?” Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer …
Preparation: The joy of John the Baptist
The third candle: Joy The third candle in Advent, is about joy. From Psalm 5:11, we hear these words, “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.” I am going to state the …
Preparation : Peace of the Prophets
The second candle: Peace For the second candle in Advent, we focus on peace. [Jesus said] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27 Do not …
Preparation: The hope of the Patriarchs
The first Candle: Hope. The first candle of Advent is all about hope. Think about hope as you hear Lamentations 3: 21-24: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is …
Making an ass of myself 