1 John 2: 12–17

 
As a new year unfolds, we can be sure that it will be full of mercy-full blessings from God, plus just the right number of challenges to keep us humble and to lead us, if we will, into God’s merciful will. But how to live into “God’s will” in the day to day grind? A translator working with our NFP Inuit women’s sewing project needs a new device to allow her to connect to the internet. Out of necessity, and with some discomfort, I enter a Bell tech store, praying to reach beyond worldly trappings, to live into God’s will. With soul open to the Holy Spirit, I mindfully drive to the “Market Place” address. I realize I am being called to be an instrument of God’s Mercy, no matter where I am or who is near me. With open heart, I notice Jesus’ presence in the store, and mostly in the salesman, and the customer couple there with him. I deliberately keep my eyes away from the ‘eye-candy’ on the counters around me – devices of all kinds designed to consume me as consumer, and instead begin to pray with Jesus for each of the other three individuals in the room. The older couple is uncertain and upset, and they take 20 minutes to make a choice. I make a point of detaching from my rising frustration and bring compassion into my heart to replace it. Finally it is my turn, and I am able to smile at the couple and warmly wish them a Happy New Year. The tension – is it darkness? – eases around them. I catch the eye of the salesperson with an understanding nod and a smile of recognition, comment on his kindness and patience and clearly state my business. Our transaction is completed easily, questions posed and answered with kindness and liveliness, and we end our conversation with a casual blessing – ‘Have a good year!’ As I leave the store I can almost see Jesus smiling with me, and flakes of mercy sloughing off my being and settling into the souls and streets in my wake. Ah... It is so good to attach to God’s will beyond the things of this world. Holy Spirit of God, help me reach beyond worldly trappings, to live into your will...
                                              
The trap is broken and we are free! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:7)
 
Prayer and praising, all men (and women) raising... ‘Alleluia!’ earth to the heavens replies.
J. H. Hopkins, We Three Kings, v. 3
 
A Blessed, Happy and Joyful New Year, the 2021st Year of Grace,
to you and your family!
 
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Matthew 2:13-18

Joseph may have had some inkling that it would be wise to move his family out of Herod’s way, but Joseph wasn’t sure about how to proceed until God’s spoke to him through a dream. When he received guidance in a dream to take his family to Egypt, immediately, Joseph could have taken time to think through his options, to spend a week preparing for the long trek into foreign territory, or to first go to Nazareth to bid his family farewell and sell his property. But Joseph’s faith in God was such that he woke up and packed up, so that while it was still dark he left Bethlehem with the child Jesus and his mother Mary and set out on the 175 km journey to Egypt, trusting not only in God’s guidance, but also in the provision of his Father in Heaven. Within hours of the departure of the Holy Family from David’s city, Herod’s henchmen were combing homes for Hebrew infants, slaughtering them on sight.  Had Joseph not been obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Baby Jesus may have also been found. When the Holy Spirit nudges me to move on in life, will I, like Joseph, have faith in God’s guidance and obediently set out, no matter how challenging or unfamiliar the journey? Holy Spirit help me be attentive to your guidance.
                                              
The trap is broken and we are free! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:7)
 
Now may Mary’s son, who came
So long ago to love us,
Lead us all with hearts aflame
Unto the joys above us.
Puer Nobis Nascitur , 15th Century Carol, v.4
 
A Blessed, Happy and Joyful Christmas Season
to you and your family!
 
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei

Luke 2:22-40

We, each of us, belong to ‘family’ whether by blood or by association; at the very least each man, woman and child belongs to the family of humanity. What I do, what I say, and how I live into the gifts and challenges of my being, has a great impact on how the favour of God falls upon us collectively. Surely each one of us continually grows, just as the child Jesus did. The question is am I growing in folly and vain glory in the ways of temporal things, or am I continuing to grow in wisdom as did the Son of God who was the Son of Man? As much as I grow in wisdom the favour of God can rest upon my ‘family’ through my life’s expression.  Is ‘my’ family increasing in foolhardiness or in wisdom? Holy Spirit, help me grow in wisdom that your favour might rest upon us.
                                       
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. (Psalm 105)
 
Now may Mary’s son, who came
So long ago to love us,
Lead us all with hearts aflame
Unto the joys above us.
Puer Nobis Nascitur , 15th Century Carol, v.4
 
A Blessed, Happy and Joyful Christmas Season
to you and your family!
 
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Luke 1:67-79
                                              
Zachariah, a long standing Priest of the Temple, father of John the Baptist, and husband of Mary’s cousin, Elisabeth, expressed the significance of Jesus’ birth in his song of joy and instruction at the birth of his own son: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. He has raised up a mighty salvation for us through the house of his servant David. ..By the tender mercy of our God whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” God knows that each child, man and woman on earth today needs to be able to find the way of peace! “Glory to God in the highest,” the angels sang at Jesus’ birth, “and on earth Peace among all of good will”. Will I willingly let God guide my feet this Christmas season and in the coming year, into the way of peace? O come, light of the World ... guide our feet into the Way of Peace.  
 
‘What then will this child become?’ For indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.  (Luke 1:66)
 
Silent night, Holy night,
Son of God, Love’s pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,  Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Franz Gruber
 
A Blessed, Happy and Merry Christmas Season
to you and your family!
 
 
 

What came into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.
The Gospel according to St. John 1:3-5
Photo by Bill Buchanan

 
 
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Malachi 3:1-6 & Luke 1:57-66

                                              
Humanity needs God to be with us! Left to our own designs we muddle around in our lives putting out fires here, sticking our finger in the dyke there, and generally frittering away this incredible gift called ‘human being’.  But with God being with our understanding of life, we find ourselves being refined into a purity of purpose and power to be loved and to love, and to make sense of the harmonies of the never-changing transformations and songs of heaven and earth.  Will I open my heart, mind, soul and strength this Christmas to welcome God’s human expression of himself into my own existence, into my own family, my own community?  O come, Emmanuel... be with us!
 
‘What then will this child become?’ For indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.  (Luke 1:66)
 
Listen, my people!
Your hopes are answered!
God waits for his people...
Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher, Listen, My People, #309, CBW III
 
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei