Advent – Page 3 – Musings from the Manse

December 5, 2020

Advent Day 5

That soft still voice that says:

“For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given”
“He will establish and uphold it (his kingdom) with justice and with righteousness.” Isaiah 9: 6-7 (paraphrased)

I’ve been hearing a lot these days of justice – social, food, personal space, and on it goes. As I’ve heard these things -people say there’s not enough. I wonder how can I, through this noise, hear the voice of God, the voice of the Son, and even the voice of the Spirit?

Be still we’re told. Will we find peace if we are still? OR does the work of justice call us to more?

What do you think? Righteousness and justice are big words that we can put into practice in our own lives.
May we hear the voice of Spirit – today and always.

Pastor Barbara

“And suddenly”

“And suddenly” That phrase is a familiar one taken from the natal story in Luke’s gospel.

And suddenly – there were angles
And suddenly (I was a bit out of breath)
Suddenly

What? No power? Hydro One has been working to keep the lights on.What? No phone service?What? No traditional Christmas dinner or gatherings?What? We’re out of t-paper once again?
And suddenly…

We wait. It’s a hurry up and wait thing we do every year.
And suddenly
We find ourselves hoping while we wait.
And suddenly

We find Christ – no longer in the manager but in our hearts.
Keep waiting and hoping. Your “suddenly” will come.
Blessings,Barbara

Blessings?

Advent Day 3

There are blessings still to come.

Luke 6:20-2120 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
    for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.

“For you will laugh.” Really? There will be laughter?

Do you have a sense that something really great is going to come? Even with the many restrictions that surround us right now we can still laugh and get excited. Yes, Christmas will be different, perhaps even difficult. But, Christ is still with us. There is snow on the ground but the hope of spring is still with us. Are you looking at the seed catalogues or pictures of warm beaches?

We wait and in waiting we can learn to laugh, to dance, to sing (at least on our own), to pray, and live through the gift of Christ in our lives.

Blessed – is the one who wears the mask and loves their neighbour (hood).

Blessed – is the one who Hopes in Christ.

What are your blessings today? Let’s share our blessings.

In the peace of Christ,

Barbara