When I was 10 I featured in a nativity play put on by the local Lutheran church at the top of my street. I so wanted a key role – like Joseph or the shepherds. Rather I was cast as a tree. Yes a tree! I had leaves taped all over me and whenever the … Continue reading A Christmas invitation
Christmas
Never bereft ….
Lament … hope! Overwhelmed ... hope! Darkness … hope! Sorrow ... hope! Uncertainty ... hope! Despair ... hope! Grief ... hope! Brokenness ... hope! Mess ... hope! Displaced ... hope! Searching ... hope! Yearning … hope! Dreaming ... hope! New beginnings ... hope! Tomorrow ... hope! Christmas reminds us we are never bereft of hope! … Continue reading Never bereft ….
Cherishing togetherness
A house full of people last night. Great conversations, good food, stories, listening, laughter and lament. And throw in my daughter and her friends having a sleepover here as well. The joy of community. I wanted to cling on to that last night, even more than usual, in these stretching times. It’s good to journey … Continue reading Cherishing togetherness
Clinging to hope!
In Bethlehem: "A re-igniting of hope is how the Mayor of Bethlehem Maher Nicola Canawati described this week's lighting of the Manger Square Christmas tree. The tree wasn't lit in 2023 and 2024 in respect of the Gaza conflict and the loss of so many lives. But the Mayor said this week that he hoped … Continue reading Clinging to hope!
Disturb me this Christmas!
I had asked the big man in the red suit for a dragster for Christmas. It was 1975 and I was trying to hold on to my Santa convictions despite the discouragement of my older brother. As was the tradition on Christmas Eve, I was sleeping on an air mattress in my grandparents’ lounge room … Continue reading Disturb me this Christmas!
Herods come, Herods go!
Seduced by ego Charmed by power. Threatened by opposition, captivated by pride Fearing anyone who might steal the limelight Herod - the self-consumed King I dare look inside my life again And while I may prefer to ignore it I see some Herod in me I can seek to excuse myself “I haven’t slaughtered innocents” But … Continue reading Herods come, Herods go!
apilgrimpens 