General Chat

Hello all

Amen to you Advent prayer for today Cynthia. I hope that you will have a
more peaceful day than yesterday.

All routine for hubbies hospital appointment on Monday, but this is always a painful
and weary time for him and especially as he is still unwell now
We were both sad to hear the Consultant tell us that he is taking early retirement and won't be around for our next visit. He is a gentleman of the old school of medicine and has taken good care of hubby with all his ongoing medical conditions but also has been very supportive of my carer's role too. We will certainly miss him as will the staff and many of the patients too. He deserves a long happy retirement.

Sending warm thoughts and gentle hugs to all in need today. xxx

Three archbishops from Iraq & Syria were refused entry into the UK despite being invited by the country’s Syriac Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf of Mosul, Archbishop of St Matthew’s Timothius Mousa Shamani and Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh of Homs and Hama, were all refused UK visas which would have enabled them to attend the consecration of the UK’s first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, last month.

(Catholic Herald).

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see you popping in kandj, you remain in our thoughts and prayers <3


Dermot, I hadn't heard about the Archbishops being refused entry - was a reason given?


Rather damp in this area today.......and unseasonally mild..

O Lord, help me prepare for this sacred and joyous season.

As the season becomes hectic, help me to remember to slow down and enjoy the love of my family, friends and church community.

Allow me to recognize those in need and realize that time, friendship and love are the greatest and often the most cherished gifts during the Christmas season. Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lord

Help us to love and connect with others, all human beings who are one in the universe. Sharing and caring support us during both dark and light times.

Help us to rest in your infinite love when we are consumed by doubt and the dark—to know that the light is always there for us.

Help us to celebrate the coming of the light through the birth of Jesus Christ this Advent season.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I will remember the reason for the season

In the quiet of the morning, dear Lord, I feel you tug on my heart and whisper in my ear this season to remember: those who are alone, those who mourn loved ones and days gone by, and those who have lost the joy in the gift of life that you have given us today.

Help me feel your presence in the busy-ness of this season, and to remember the simplicity of your message; to remember you are at the centre of my life, to give from my heart by extending a hand in compassion, and to come together in community to give praise and thanksgiving.

I remember the joy in your promise of life everlasting, the promise that began with your birth.

Amen.



Cx :-)

Baby Jesus in the manger is adored by Muslims too.

The myth of Islamic intolerance pervades the West as the festive season of Christmas draws near.

As a child, I did not really understand what Christmas was about; all I knew was that it was celebrating the birth of Jesus. Later in life as a student of theology, I discovered that Muslims and Christians share a common theological heritage where both faiths revere Jesus and his mother.

These similarities have sadly become sullied throughout history because Islam and Christianity are often portrayed as implacable enemies embroiled in conflict.

Despite the troubled history, there have been eras when Christians and Muslims have coexisted in peace. This legacy of peace can be traced as far back as the seventh century, since the beginning of the revelation of the Koran.

(Excerpt from a thoughtful & an informative article by Sajda Khan in today’s Times.)

Good morning :-)



Thank you for that Dermot - interesting and informative. :-)



The Collect (special prayer) for today:

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The gospel tells the story of St. John the Baptist's imprisonment and the reaction of Jesus.


Hope everyone is well. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I hope everyone had a good weekend. We have been running a 'Reverse Advent Calendar' theme at church. This means that instead of 'taking a chocolate OUT' of an Advent Calendar, we put something IN. This has been done in the way of donations of food and Christmas presents to go to the local homeless shelter. We have had an amazing response which is lovely.

We continue our Advent journey

Christ the Lord, Son of the living God, light from light,
lead us into the light and reveal his holiness.

With confidence, let us make our prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus!

Light that never fades, dispel the mists about us,
- awaken our faith from sleep.

Guard us from all harm today,
- may your glory fill us with joy.

Give us unfailing gentleness at all times,
- toward everyone we meet.

Come to create a new earth for us,
-where there will be justice and peace.

Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

I haven't heard of a reverse Advent calendar Cynthia but I like the idea involved
when people who are struggling will benefit from all donations kindly given.

For very many years I have taken part in the shoebox appeal.
Our church organizes a children's shoebox appeal where empty shoe boxes are filled with suitable Christmas gifts. Boy or girl and the age is put on to the front of the wrapped box and the filled ones are passed on to help families where children have very little at Christmastime. My neighbour kindly handed ours in recently.

My prayers are with households who are coping with ongoing illness xxx

The reverse advent calendar is new to me as well, but it seems a brilliant idea. Christmas shoeboxes seem to have been going forever. Again it is a lovely idea but how sad that they are still needed.

I am thankful for all we have and am thinking of all those for whom Christmas is not a happy time.

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see you both.... <3`

There are some lovely, generous and caring people in this world - its a pity the media doesn't concentrate more on them. Pleas for gifts for the needy rarely go unheeded in so many places. So many people are so kind. We thank God for them.



Jesus our Prince of Peace,
we pray that every time a carol is sung,
a Christmas greeting spoken,
a nativity play performed,
that your name be honoured and glorified and that hard hearts be melted to receive you afresh.
Amen .


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

On Monday we went to the doctors because OH has a recurring sore eye. It's an abscess in/on? the tear duct which is blocked. He is now on antibiotics and awaiting an appointment at the eye clinic.

Yesterday, we were at the dentists as OH broke a piece from a tooth whilst chewing a toffee...........sigh. That was duly fixed.


Today? Who knows? Possibly dandruff :-D



Heavenly Father,

as once again we prepare for Christmas, help us to find time in our busy lives for quiet and thought and prayer, that we may reflect upon the wonder of your love and allow the story of the Saviour’s birth to penetrate our hearts and minds.

So may our joy be deeper, our worship more real, and our lives worthier of all that you have done for us through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.




Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Our prayer for today:

Lord, be with us as we prepare for Christmas.
We have so much to do – we need to stop and listen for your voice.
We are anxious about so much – we need to put our trust in you.
We are blessed in so many ways – we thank you.


Cx :-)

Amen to your morning prayer Cynthia. I hope your hubby improves soon.

A very busy time of year during this Advent season and all THANKS go to you
for your daily postings and commitment to keeping this Christian thread going.
I noticed it is 4 years since JustJohn started this, how fast all those years have passed.

A Nation in Pain:-

Who can doubt that there is something deeply wrong with the United Kingdom today? Everyone seems to be looking out for themselves, people have to be paid to care, few appear to have any honour or respect – from the top to the bottom.

Half a generation of children are growing up without a father, the government is encouraging children into promiscuity, perversion is honoured, injustice is done in the courts and the poor are robbed by the national lottery. The Christian Faith itself is under attack from the media and homosexual activists.

Our politicians lie & cheat. Our soldiers are dying for no reason in a foreign land. Last but not least, we kill our own children in what should be the safest place on God’s earth.

Secularism is destroying our land, Christianity has been pushed to the margins & Islam is waiting to fill the vacuum. The judgement of God is falling on us.

How did it come to this?

(Hard-hitting stuff from 'Christian Voice' - UK).

Hard hitting, indeed, Dermot but also extremely one-sided.

Yes, there is poverty and greed and injustice, people lie and cheat and others get hurt. These are the stories that make the headlines and sell newspapers. On the other hand, what about the millions of generous and selfless people worldwide who willingly give their time and money to help others for little or no reward? How often do we hear about them?

I also find it distressing that Christianity and Islam are, yet again, treated as enemies. There are more similarities than differences between the two religions.

I wouldn't want to start a discussion on this thread that might get heated but articles like this do make me feel angry as I think they pander to people's fears and increase tension.

Phew! Rant over...

I do hope your husband's eye improves soon Cynthia. What a week you are having! Kandj, I hope too that your husband is feeling a little better now and you are able to get more rest.

The last few days we have been receiving cards and letters from our geographically scattered, but close-knit, extended family, so my thoughts are with all those who are alone without loving family and friends.

Good morning :-)

A very one sided view indeed.....and not exactly cheering reading. There is so much good going on in the world which is never made known, maybe because people enjoy reading about doom, gloom and scandal? Who knows?

I think this fits in quite well......

Goodwill.

It’s Christmas the shops are full of many things to buy.
There’s gifts for ‘him’ and gifts for ‘her’ – all pleasing to the eye.
There are toys and books for children to help their stockings fill
BUT – is there anywhere a shop stocked wholly with goodwill?

We buy for Uncle Peter and we buy for cousin Lynn
We rack our brains for something for the one with everything.
We rush around quite madly for Christmas food to fill
BUT do we ever try and stock our homes with masses of goodwill?

It’s Christmas and we hear again the story of Christ’s birth.
How long ago in Bethlehem our God came down to earth.
We marvel as we celebrate that happening again
When God’s great heart was wholly filled with goodwill to all men.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

For those of you who haven't quite finished their Christmas shopping, here are some ideas for some special gifts........................


• a firm handshake to a shaky soul,
• a kind word to a lonely person,
• a warm smile to the disheartened,
• a sincere concern for someone troubled,
• a feeling of compassion for the neglected,
• a comforting thought for the bereaved,
• a respect for the dignity of others,
• a defence of the rights of individuals,
• a word of witness to help a seeking soul.



Cx :-)

Cynthia - spot on!

Thank you Cynthia. Some lovely thoughts there.


My in-laws told me about this living Nativity event in Gozo, near Malta.
It must be lovely to see.


> http://ghajnsielem.com/bethlehem/index_frame.html

Apologies if the link has already been posted