• Blog
  • Welcome
  • Pray for these
  • Some Prayers that may help
Reflections in the Water

​Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it  - Rumi
​

Joy

18/12/2017

4 Comments

 
At this time of year across the country, in schools and church halls, children are rehearsing their parts for the annual Nativity play. Whilst some will take the starring roles, others will play what seems a lesser role, for example as sheep. Of course, each part is important since without sheep there would be no shepherds and thus no angel to bring them the Good News!  It is always a joy to see the happy, excited faces of the children as they take their places on stage to bring the age old story to life once again. Each performance will be different and perhaps that is part of the joy of it. What is more important however is the impact the Nativity play has on the performers and those in the audience watching as together we sing the old favourite carols, and a few new ones as well.

It is a joy too, to open the Christmas cards that come through our letter box and to read the messages and the news of friends far away; news of births, marriages, new careers, new opportunities opening up for them or their children.  Sometimes, however the joy is tinged with sadness as we open a card signed this year by just one friend as their husband or wife has died or perhaps is now looked after in a care home as dementia has taken its toll. 
For many this season will be tinged with sadness as there will be an empty place at the festive table. Sadly, too, there are some who have no one with whom to share their Christmas meal, who will receive no cards and indeed have no-one to send a card to. For them this Christmas time will seem as empty as every other day with only their “friends” on the TV screen for company. And spare a thought for those whose worldly possessions are contained in a carrier bag, who have no home and are struggling to survive.  Yet at just such times our faith teaches us that only the healing and peace that Christ brings can ease our burdened hearts, and it is for Christ’s coming we pray.

As we light the third (rose) candle on our Advent wreath let us pray for the joy of Christ’s coming; for the joy in the children’s hearts as they perform the Nativity play. Let us pray too for the joy in receiving cards and messages from our friends and loved ones far away. And let us not forget to pray for those for whom Christmas will be just another lonely day.

In the words of the old hymn let us: “Rejoice, rejoice Emanuel shall come to thee, O Israel”
​
Peace and joy to you all this Christmas.

4 Comments
Steve Givens
18/12/2017 03:23:44 pm

Merry Christmas and much joy to you and your family. Thanks for a year of wonderful writing and inspiration.

Reply
Peter
18/12/2017 03:38:26 pm

Thanks Steve. Peace and blessings to you and your family too. Thanks for all your help and encouragement. My words but God's inspiration.

Reply
Tom Schoenherr link
21/12/2017 02:21:59 pm

Today is the 21st of December, the shortest day and the longest night. The fifth of the Great O Antiphons, and the fifth verse of the hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel":
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Together, across an ocean, we keep on praying this prayer, and rejoicing over the One who has already come and is coming. He brings the lasting joy that we have even in the midst of wars and rumors of wars. May that peace and joy continue to be yours this Christmas and always, Peter. Blessed Christmas!

Reply
Peter
21/12/2017 02:54:58 pm

Thanks Tom. A Peaceful and a Blessed Christmas to you and your family

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK 

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    RSS Feed

      Get up to date blogs! Sign up here

    Submit
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.