When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Matthew 2: 9-12
A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy Boxing Day to you and yours!
Things have settled down here in Porter’s Lake
John has gone out to work off some turkey and Nico is having a nap in the sun
I’m tucked in with a cup of tea and my devotions.
It has been a quiet day
Sleepy even
The sun is beautiful, warm and bright
The calm before the storm 🙂
We had a lovely Christmas
Two Christmas Eve services
The beauty of being with friends
The beauty of entering into Christmas through dance
And tradition
And liturgy
The mystery of Christmas Eve
The Light in the midst of the darkness of night
The excitement of Christmas Morn
He is BORN!
The joy of exchanging gifts
Christmas dinner with family
Followed by naps for all and a quiet evening of reflection.
And now it is over
Or is it?
I often wonder about the Wise Men
After they worshiped the new Babe
And they headed for home
Did they feel deflated, worn out, sad that it was all over
The excitement of the trip
The joy of seeing the Baby
The hush of worship
Or
Did they understand in their hearts
Deep within their spirits
They this was just the beginning.
The birth of the Child was not the end
But only the beginning.
Did they walk more lightly on the way home
Covered still in
the awe,
the majesty,
the mystery of that night?
I believe in my heart that they understood.
That the laying down of their gifts in worship
Was not the end
But a new start.
The Light had come
Emmanuel
God with us
God among us
The world would never be the same.
Can we say the same?
Today
Are you deflated
Weary
Sad even?
The tree looks a bit scattered
The sparkle of the tinsel worn down.
Gifts are open
Turkey dinner is past
Family begin to make their way home.
But wait!
It is not yet over!
It has just begun.
The Babe has come
Emmanuel
God with us
God among us.
“Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.”Isaiah 35:3
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14
This is the hope and promise of the Christmas season
No fear
Only Peace
Be strengthened
Christ has come!
Sing praises unto the Father for this greatest gift!
This gift that still shines brightly
On Boxing Day
And the day after that
And into the New Year.
Be blessed today as you sit and reflect on the newness of the world.
Like the Wisemen
As you depart for your own country
Treasure the mystery of the season
In your heart
And your mind
And your spirit.
And allow the Holy Spirit to speak
Love
Peace
And Purpose
Into your heart.
It is a new day!
Go forth in love!