General Chat

Hello all

Another week of special Advent posts thank you Cynthia.

Our village church hosted the annual Carol Service last Sunday. The village band played for all the traditional 9 carols and 9 lessons were read out.

A packed church and a wonderful beginning for the other Christmas services offered this coming week.

It was good to take time out from all the rushing around and to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Good morning :-)

GLOBAL FAMILY FACT: Every year, in the last days of Advent, children in Mexico remember Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem. This Advent tradition is called Posada. During each Posada, children carry painted clay figures of Mary and Joseph and call at the houses of friends and neighbours to ask if Mary and Joseph can stay for the night. The answer is usually no, so the children have to keep searching. Eventually, they find a welcoming house. Once Mary and Joseph are inside, everyone says prayers of thanks and then the children have a joyful Posada Party!

Spend some quiet time thinking of those looking for somewhere to stay this Christmas. We ask God to keep homeless people and refugees in his care and to help us offer welcome and kindness to all God’s children.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This week, we are thinking about joy. What can be more fitting than this glorious carol? Sing along to the video.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.



https://youtu.be/30OaM6b48k8


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

During Advent, we remember how God’s angels brought the joyful news of Jesus’ coming to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. The angels’ joyful visits and the special message they shared are remembered each year when angel decorations are placed on our Christmas trees. The tradition of putting angels on Christmas trees began hundreds of years ago in Germany, but today the practice is followed around the world.

Angels are messengers who bring God’s word to us on earth. Words are very powerful. We can use our words to encourage, to provide guidance, and to spread love and joy. Let’s spend a moment in silence, asking God to help you spread love and joy with your words today.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


GLOBAL FAMILY FACT: This week we are focusing on the joy that Jesus brings. On the island of Mauke, part of the Cook Islands, the people prepare for the birth of Jesus with an Advent visiting tradition known as Rangokere. During Rangokere, huge baskets of food are shared between the two main villages on the island. The baskets are shared with everyone, whatever their faith. People also sing and dance, so that the whole community can share friendship and joy together.

The people of Mauke know how important it is to share with everyone. Who can we share friendship and joy with this week?

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Joy never starts with yourself
Joy is spelled: Jesus Others and You
Joy does not depend on:
a soul mate
a car
a number on a scale
friends
or difficult situations
Joy Is:
in Christ alone
in doing his will
trusting him
fellowship with Him
giving Him your burdens
Joy starts with Jesus
and it ends with yourself


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

3rd Sunday of Advent

In today's Bible reading, the crowd questioned John the Baptist on preparing for Christ's arrival. John advised them to share their possessions, stating that those with two shirts should give one to the person with none, and those with food should do likewise. Sharing doesn't always come naturally to us. Today is also known as Gaudete Sunday, a day symbolized by the lighting of the pink candle, and we reflect on joy.

Joy stems from having essentials like food, water, and shelter, yet many lack these necessities globally. Beyond material needs, sharing concerns and time with others, and feeling loved and cared for, are vital for happiness.

This week, let's consider how sharing what we have can bring joy to our community and the wider world.

Cx :-)

Yes, I second kandj's words. Thank you Cynthia for another interesting week.

Hello all

Very many thanks to Cynthia for always posting such interesting regular daily messages.

Today I've been to help clean the church as tomorrow we have our annual 9 lessons and carols service and this always means a packed church as villagers come along to share in our worship.

Good morning :-)



We’ve almost finished the second week of Advent, our time of preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. This week we have reflected on peace and forgiveness, and how Jesus asks us to practice both.

Today, find somewhere peaceful to sit and say a silent prayer for the people around you who show you God’s mercy and love.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

GLOBAL FAMILY FACT: Today is the feast of Saint Lucy. Saint Lucy lived in Italy, in Roman times. When she was just twenty she was killed by a Roman Governor because she was a Christian and because she refused to give up her faith. The name Lucy comes from the Latin word for light. Saint Lucy’s feast day celebrates how the light of Jesus triumphs over darkness. Schools in Denmark remember Saint Lucy’s Day by holding a candle-lit procession. Pupils dress in white, sing hymns, and pray together.

Let’s finish with a Prayer for Faith.

Loving God, thank you for the gift of faith
that helps me to know that you are always with me,
will always forgive me,
and that your love for me will never fade.
Lord, help me to understand that the precious gift of faith you’ve given me
isn’t meant to be kept to myself;
you gave it to me so that I can share it with others.
Help me to share my faith freely, through my words, actions, and prayers,
so that others might know how much you love them, too.
We make this prayer through Christ, your Son. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Advent Peace


Peace Begins In The Home And The Heart

Peace is not something you fight for
with bombs and missiles that kill,
Nor can it be won in a battle of words
man fashions by scheming and skill.
For men who are greedy and warlike,
whose avarice for power cannot cease,
Can never contribute in helping
to bring this world nearer to peace.
For in seeking peace for all people,
there is only one place to begin
And that is within each home and heart,
for the fortress of peace is within.

Helen Steiner Rice

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Advent. Peace.

By Christmas 1914 soldiers from the Allied and German armies had dug-in along a trench system reaching from Switzerland to the North Sea. On Christmas Eve the guns fell silent. The following morning - Christmas Day - troops on both sides climbed from their trenches and met together in no man's land, between the battle lines. They shared drinks, played football, embraced, exchanged presents and sang carols. This spontaneous truce was observed in several places along the Western Front but by no means everywhere. The following day - Boxing Day - the fighting began once again.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We continue to think about peace. Jesus came to show us how to build peace in our hearts and in our world. Sadly, many countries in the world are not at peace today. We keep these countries in our hearts as we say the following prayer together.

Loving God and Father of all, hear our prayer for peace in our world.
Protect all children living through war, help them to stay safe and feel loved.
Strengthen all adults hurt by war, help them to forgive and to heal.
Guide all leaders who work to end war, help them to stay hopeful and wise.
Loving God, your Son, Jesus showed us how to be peacemakers.
Help us to follow his example, and live in peace as your global family.

Cx :-)

Dear oh dear.......abject apologies once more. I seem to get distracted away from here at times. Here now though!!!



The 2nd week of Advent is based on Peace. This is one of the loveliest hymns we sing about Peace. Read the words, watch the video, enjoy and ponder.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now.
With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgL1v8FZaNM



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Having been out all evening at a church Movie Night for kids, I came back onto my computer and suddenly realised that I hadn't posted on here in the morning! Sorry. It had been a good evening with lots of children and parents—popcorn (that took some hoovering up), hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, mulled wine, mince pies, a tuck shop, and pyjamas were worn. It was such fun for the little ones, and the parents enjoyed it, too!

This reading is quite apt really!

Christmas is loud, isn’t it?
So much expectation. So many voices telling us how to celebrate, what to wear, what to eat and drink, what to watch and what to buy. Listen for the love song that the angels bring, this and every year. They sang it for the first time more than 2,000 years ago, on the midnight clear. They’re just waiting for us to join in.
Advent dawns with lights strung high and music everywhere,

Sights and smells abound around,

Senses assaulted and confused,

O hush the noise, Let’s hear the angels sing.

Amid the lists and cards and gifts,

Amid the pleas and “please can we”,

Amid the chaos of the world,

O hush the noise, Let’s hear the angels sing.

Let’s seek to see and seek to hear.

Let’s seek to feel and seek to know.

Let’s seek to find peace and love.

O hush the noise, Let’s hear the angels sing

Cx :-)

Scraping in before midnight......

Today is the feast of St Nicholas. St Nicholas was Bishop of Myra (in modern-day Turkey), over a thousand years ago. He became known and loved throughout the land for his generosity to the poor and his special concern for children. There are many stories of him saving young people from danger, which is why he became the patron saint of children. Of course, St. Nicholas inspired our image of Santa Claus.

Today, ask St Nicholas to join you in praying for children around the world, especially those who live in danger or poverty.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, another week of really thought provoking posts for Advent..... many thanks.

Good morning :-)


Did you know that in the Philippines during Advent, people decorate homes and streets with big paper lanterns called Paroles? Paroles are signs that the people are lighting the way for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Spend a moment thinking about the signs we use to help people know that Jesus is soon to be born. These could be Christmas cards with images of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Our Nativity sets help and so does a star on the top of our Christmas tree.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Jesse Tree


A central part of the season of Advent is looking back at how Jesus’ coming was prophesied over many thousands of years. It helps us understand that Jesus, the Messiah, didn’t come out of nowhere, but had given hints of his coming and slowly prepared the people of Israel for their Saviour.

Some families make a “Jesse Tree” which encourages them to read the entire story of Salvation History, starting in Genesis and ending in the New Testament.

These traditions remind us all that we too are part of a great story and have our own part to play before the end of the world.

Cx :-)