2012 - A Year of Change

Well it's that time of year again, when we look backwards to what has been and start to look forward to what might be. As regular readers will know I have chosen a word for the year for the past few years and my word for 2012 was BE. Not an easy word as it turned out to be a year of many changes in my life and that of my family. Linked to this word BE was the word Trust and throughout the year I have put my Trust in God and He has not failed me.

So some changes in 2012...

The biggest change has obviously been a move to a different city, a different Church and a different house. Not always the easiest and certainly rather stressful. But now at the end of the year I think we are starting to settle here in Edinburgh.

Thankfully a new manse has been bought and we move into it mid-March. Reallly looking forward to finally getting settled (and getting all my craft stash out of storage).  Church life is going well and Andrew has settled into school well.

The other big change this year was that John left home to study at St Andrews University - I can't really believe that he is half way through his first year already! He is getting on well and enjoying himself.

One of the biggest highlights of 2012 for me has to be my graduation in April. I graduated from the Open University with a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences.

Holidaywise this year we went to Keswick in the summer and Amble in October - both good weeks.

Craftwise I have not managed to do very much, I have done some knitting and crocheting, but not as much as I would have liked.

Faithwise I had an uplifting and experience filled weekend at Clan Women in October and have also completed the Freedom in Christ course, which has given me lots to think about, but also helped me in my daily walk with God.

I think I have found it difficult at time during the year to BE - I am better at DOing, but I am learning and getting there slowly.

As for my word for 2013 - well you will have to come back later in the week.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

A Pause in Advent 4

We  are almost there, it is almost Christmas Day. For todays Pause in Advent I wanted to share this video clip with you:



The Real Christmas is tied up with Easter, Jesus came among us, born as a child in a stable, God with Us, so that He would die for us, to reunite us with God.

You can read more blog posts for A Pause in Advent over at Floss's blog

A Pause in Advent 3

Another bit of poetry for you today, this time by William Arthur Ward.

Christmas

Christmas is more than a time of music, merriment and mirth;
It is a season of meditation, mangers and miracles.

Christmas is more than a time of gaiety, greenery and gifts;
It is a season of wonder, worship and wiseman.

Christmas is more than a time of tinsel, trees and toys;
It is a season of preparation, prayers and peace.

Christmas is more than a time of festivities, family and friends;
It is a season of generosity, gladness and gratitude.

Christmas is more than a time of carols, cards and candy;
It is a season of dedication, direction and decision.

Christmas is more than Santa, stockings and surprises
It is Christ, care and concern.

You can find more entries for a pause in advent over at Floss blog.

Advent Journal

Yes I know we are almost halfway through December, but I have just finished sticking all the papers in my Advent Journal for this year.

I haven't done a journal for the past couple of years but wanted to do one this year as it is our first Christmas in Edinburgh.

My first page reads..

Christmas 2012
A new home, a new city, a new church..
Lots of changes..
New places for decorations, a new tree, new traditions..
But the real Christmas remains the same..
A time to celebrate the birth of Jesus...

Immanuel - God with us

Now to catch up with the other pages.

A Pause in Advent 2

Oops I am a day or two late in posting something for A Pause in Advent 2, but better late than never.

Following on from last weeks thought about The Real Christmas I wanted to share this, I cant remember where I first found it.

Corinthians for Christmas

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata,
but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get of the way, but is thankful that they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

You can find more thoughts on A Pause in Advent at Floss's blog

Hello Monday

As I have enjoyed reading hello Monday posts over at Rinda's blog, I thought I would join in today.

Hello snow - we have had our first fluttering of snow on the ground this morning, hoping we will not have more.

Hello Advent - as I have had a friend staying over the weekend, I only got started reading my advent devotions book today. This year I am using 'the time is now' by Amy Orr-Ewing.

Hello Advent journal - have decided to do an Advent Journal again this year, following a mixture of prompts by Shimelle and some of my own ideas.

What things are you saying hello to today?

A Pause in Advent - 1

Floss over at http://trocbroc.blogspot.co.uk/ is hosting A Pause in Advent again this year. Every Sunday in Advent I will posting some thoughts about Advent.

At Church this morning we were handing out a little booklet called "The Real Christmas". So what is Christmas all about for you. Christmas is the time we remember that the baby born in the manger is Immanuel, God with us. He is Jesus, the rescuer and He is the Christ. Jesus is God's real solution to the real problem with the world, our need for forgiveness. It is about God's genuine love for us in sending his only Son to rescue us. And about how we should respond to him.

So when you see a nativity scene how do you respond? If you know Jesus then the challenge is to be known as one of Jesus' people. If you do not know Jesus then why not take a closer look this year. Read one of the Gospel accounts, go check out your local church. Find "The Real Christmas".