Hanukkah/Chanukkah ... a time of remembering and celebrating... of light in the darkness, of hope in adversity, of miracles and faithfulness.
This photo is my Hannukkiah alight for the last night of Hanukkah two years ago.
Pausing in sadness to think of those who went out to celebrate on Bondi beach, and whose lives are irrevocably changed by the violence they experienced.
There is one golden rule that all belief systems teach: love your neighbour as you love yourself.
Today is full of Christmas cheer - even if it is still Advent!
This morning our youngest deacon and leader of our children's work, J, will facilitate our Pop-up nativity using the Grumpy Owl resource (see here).
So, since, if you have an owl, you also need a pussy cat (if no beautiful pea-green boat) it's the Sophie jumper this morning. Over the coming days, look out for Sasha, Rudolph and others from my cheesy collection of jumpers!!
Really looking forward to the chaos and joy of this morning's service.
I love this tableau in the foyer of Railway Town Baptist Church... we bought the 'garage door' hanging, the Rainbows and Brownies made the stars, and the effect is very eye-catching.
Lots of people pass by on their way to/from the local retail park, or from the railway station, so I hope this brings them some joy on their journeys.
Every year I buy a new Advent book, and most years I soon grow tired of simplistic or sentimental reflections. This year I have found one that not only accepts, it embraces and expresses thoughtful, educated theology without becoming dry or soulless.
I have yet to discover the basis for the title, but I am enjoying reading the work of a woman of deep faith and profound wisdom who can write in an accessible way without losing the keen insights of her academic study.
Definitely one to consider for next year - unless you are up for playing a lot of catch up this year!
Advent 2, and we had the wonderful challenge of combining all into one service the following...
Lighting the Advent candle
An infant blessing
Gathering toys and gifts for the Salvation Army appeal
A sermonette - because you know, there has to be a 'word'
Communion
And of course Bible readings and intercessory prayers
And we did it, and it was blooming marvellous!
The Bible Readings were Isaiah 11: 2- 9 (from whence the title of the sermonette) and, using a video retelling, Luke 1: 1-25 & 2:57-58. There was also Jesus blessing the children as part of the blessing liturgy.
Over fifty people, including two babies and a dozen or more other children... songs ranging from Taize to Kendrick and all points in between... MP3 recordings of an organ, and live guitar, recorder and drums... having to add the 'emergency' glasses to the communion trays... welcoming people newly arrived to this town... booking refugees into the town-wide Community Christmas day lunch... and gathering up several huge bags of gifts to be given to families in need...
Oh, and my sermonette seemed to hit the spot too... bonus!
