Categories: uncategorized
Date: 08 December 2005 21:36:48
I've nicked the poem/meditiation thing below from NCH - I picked up a card at church with it on. I've only just had chance to read it properly, but it made me think.
Angels sang of peace and good news
Shephards came hurrying
Wise men more slowly
leaving Herod impatiently waiting.
All of them seeking the child at the centre
of the story, of the prophecies, of the future.
Did they find
a ruler
a priest
a king
a saviour?
Only a child, in a stable
his distinguishing feature a star shining brightly
for hope, love. peace on earth
a new beginning for him and for us.
Lord, help us to strip away the tinsel and trimmings
to find the story underneath,
which has the child at the centre.
Keep the messsage brought by the Christ child at the centre of our hearts and our lives
of who we are and what we do
in your name. Amen.
During the past week, I feel like I haven't stopped. Birthday parties, community profiling, trips to the pub, lectures, Christmas concerts, Christmas shopping and remembering to eat, sleep at appropriate times. Life just hasn't stopped. And I think It'll be just as bad for the next week, until term finishes. But in doing all of this, its so easy to forget to 'keep the message brought by the Christ child at the centre of our heart and our lives'. Even when the stuff you are filling your life with, is church/Christmas related.
I wake up each morning and think 'ooohhh! I get to eat another Divine heart shaped chocolate this morning!!' I eat it, and then carry on the rest of the craziness of life. I don't eat it and think 'wow! That child. The hope of the world!' Having spent this morning practicing CPR on baby dummies, it is quite incredible to think that a small, helpless baby can bring such hope, love and peace for the earth. I really should stop and remember that more often.
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