He will bring us goodness and light

New Year's Eve harnesses so many possibilities- reflecting upon what has been and what might be, wiping the slate clean, planning change. It can cause us to make promises we will not keep or be the catalyst to drawing a line under a painful year and moving on.
For me this new year's eve is just about quality time with my family. This year has had it's ups and downs- my husband's ill health and being accepted as an ordinand. It has brought new challenges and I've learnt an awful lot about myself.
I don't know what the year ahead will hold- a lot of hard work I'm sure- but I won't put too much pressure on myself as I continue to try and balance family, work and ministry.

Bring God's glory to the heart of man

Something that really hits me at this point between Christmas and new year, when many people are back in work for a few days, is the belief that Christmas is done with- all over for another year.
The joy of celebration should encourage us to keep on celebrating as long as we can! In the church there are so many times to be solemn, and so much 'ordinary time' that I love having this joyous time- yes 12 days from Christmas day to Epiphany- but also 40 days from Christmas to Candlemas, which is basically the first week in February. Lent will be here soon enough, abstinence will be on our minds, so eat, drink, feast, celebrate, make merry!! Enjoy Christmas to it's fullest!
I think the problem is- stop me if you've heard this one before- we celebrate too soon. Advent isn't Christmas. My Christmas celebrations kick off on Christmas eve, so I'm not sick of it by the 30th- I've only just started.
Many people find January a miserable slump following the festive period- no chance of that in our house- with 2 major birthdays before we hit twelfth night, then my daughter's birthday on the 11th Jan and mine on the 19th we have multiple opportunities to keep celebrating throughout the extended festive season. Even without these added celebrations, Jesus alone is worth the continued festivities.

Ding dong merrily

No blog Sunday- just some highlights of our Christmas so far.

What I can I give him

I returned to work today after two lovely days with my family. I went with a heavy heart, knowing that with my shift pattern I won't be spending any real time with my family until New Year's Eve on Tuesday. When I got to work I was reminded of something- I love my job. I love it and I feel privileged to do it. It's not easy, in fact in can be incredibly tough, but I honestly don't think I'd really rather be doing anything else. So, today, I want to celebrate doing a job I love.

And to the earth be peace

The post Christmas tiredness has really kicked in today! I was awake really early, and just when I thought I might get back to sleep the kids were awake (the boy and his cousin being rather vocal, the girl playing music on her new iPod).
We then headed off with my brother to MOSI, meeting my cousins there. It was tremendous to see all the children, but by the time I got home I was ready for a power nap!
Today I'm celebrating how lucky I am. I have a great family, loving & generous friends, a house, car, good job and I live in a country that is politically stable, relatively corruption free and isn't subject to massively unstable weather. Watching and reading the news at the moment I feel hugely inadequate and rather guilty. The events in South Sudan, CAR, Syria and Iraq serve as a reminder of my comfortable and safe life. The percentage of us in the world living safe happy lives is greatly outnumbered by those who aren't.  We are so lucky, and I thank God for that. I also ask him what I can do to help those who aren't so lucky. 

O come to us, abide with us.

One thing I want to get across with my festive blog is that my Advent was preparation for, not celebration of, Christmas. I didn't really start to celebrate until midnight mass. The other thing I want to remind people of is that Christmas is not over now it's the 26th of December- it's only just begun. I want to celebrate- for days!! Each day until Epiphany I want to share in what way I've celebrated that day. If I was super keen I'd blog the 40 days up until Candlemas, because Christmas isn't over until then!
Boxing Day is the biggest day in our house- my mum returns from my brother's, with my Bro and his family in tow. Our other parents also join us, we have another feast and exchange gifts. It's a day I've managed to avoid working throughout my career- quite a feat, but I do my fair share elsewhere.
I have to admit that Jesus has been a little out of mind today, after 4 days of spending more time at church than home!  My plan is to spend a few quiet moments in prayer now, before I go to sleep, just being really thankful for all the ways in which I am blessed.

Tidings of comfort and joy

There's several things that have brought me joy today and are worth celebrating this Christmas. Firstly my church family- the joy at Midnight Mass, and in church this morning,  was an utter delight.
Next my work family- 4 of the girls worked a nearly 14 hour day today,  making me feel like a proper slacker on a 4-9!
I also want to celebrate our patients- what an amazing group of people they are.
Finally, and most importantly, I want to celebrate the joy I find in my family. To sum it up here's the message my daughter wrote on her brother's white board this morning:
"To mummy & daddy, If there is one thing we want to snuggle and cuddle it is our family. So let peace and love abide here."

Amen to that.