Lights, camera, action!

The pace picks up. We
see event after event
begin to hurtle

towards fulfilment
of the Promised redemption.
Jesus our Saviour.

He sends out his 'staff'
travelling, to heal and preach
the Kingdom of God.

They go with nothing.

He sends out his 'staff'
to find food for five thousand
hungry listeners.

They provide nothing

save a few bread loaves,
some fish. Jesus takes it all
feeds all those people.

Jesus knows the Truth
of approaching persecution
and ultimate glory.

Jesus shows heaven
on a mountaintop of glory
too marvellou for words.

Jesus heals a boy
from demon persecution:
such love and power.

Jesus shows the way
to follow God, humble
as a child.

Jesus knows our hearts
heading towards memories
of Bethlehem birth.

Jesus bids us follow
single-hearted, focussing
on Him. No looking back.

Extra ordinary

Reading between lines
we see the unusual
surrounding Jesus.

Women leave their homes
and families, following
this young preacher man.

What did their husbands
think? Was there resentment, anger?
Think of the scandal?

Jesus, meanwhile, caused
more embarrassment, healing
unmentionable illness,

raising from the dead,
Extraordinary sights.
Miracle worker!

This Advent, we wait
in expectation for Him,
hoping that we too

will have our lives changed.
Embarrassment? Certainly.
Jesus changes things.

Such priceless knowledge

to know the King of all kings

come to save us all.

This Man, who calms storms

restores the broken-mindedr

aises dead to life.

So tell of his deeds,

show His love shining from us

so all, too, may know.

Luke 8

Faith

That baby, renowned
the world over from his birth,
grown to be a man

of stature, wisdom,
and now miracle worker.
All had heard of him.

Even foreigners.
This Roman centurion
desperate for healing.

"Speak Your Words," he said.
"Speak healing to my servant.
Nothing else needed."

This man knew Jesus.
He recognised the power
of the Son of God.

Such faith. We also
come to the manger, trusting
in Him to save us too.

Wisdom

This baby! Who would
have ever thought such wisdom
would come from a child

grown man, wise in years
with godly inspiration
teaching all who hear.

Lord of all, yet he
chose those special friends, teaching
love and forgiveness.

Following this man,
basing my life on his life
and words, brings me life.


Luke 6: The Beatitudes

Healer

The baby has grown
into a perfect man, so
free from all wrong.

Miracle healer.
Freely giving forgiveness.
Astounding man.

He invites. No one
who comes to him excluded.
We too can come

This Christmas, turning
our hearts towards that baby
who came our Saviour.

Arrival.

Jesus arrived to
temptation, testing, trial.
rejection, ridicule.

So he healed.
delivered.
prayed.

Did any one dream
that this babe would overcome
and save us all?


Luke 4.

Advent: the Coming

The media is filled with frenzy.
Imperatives are the new emperor.
Buy this. Plan that. Go here. Do. Do. Do....

Christians, succumb. Or struggle bravely
against the prevailing culture
while still shopping.

Me? Me too. But I
also choose to plunge
deep into the Word.

Daily Bible readings
doubled with Advent studies
and attempts at prayer.

Culture calls.
Holding my course
I hold the things of Christmas lightly.

Only Christmas correspondence
hovers
on the edges of my soul.

This time of year,
this time of reconnection,
where friendship feeds my soul,

bringing joys and sorrows
as I read of change and loss
in dear lives.

Shadows of the Saviour
fully like us.
I dare to think, like me.

Here, on this little page,
this tiny unnoticed corner of a vast world,
I share my thoughts with Him.

Preparation

And so, John presciently preaches Isaiah:
"“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’"

All were waiting on

this preacher man John:could HE

be the Messiah?

No. That humble man

deemed himself too unworthy

even to untie shoes.

He prepared the hearts

of those who turn to God in

humble repentance.

His job done, Jesus

was baptized. Next we learn of

his royal lineage.

We prepare to be 

surprised by this man Jesus.

Descended of God.

Waiting

The saga continues
with Roman emperors,
humble carpenters
and a Baby.

Shepherds, too,
experience angels (oh,
so many angelic visitations
these two chapters before His life.)

Waiting is rewarded. After nine months
Mary, with her babe
knows all is well. She guards
words in her heart.

Faithful Simeon and Anna
waiting at the temple
for the One.
Rewarded with His presence.

I may not see angels,
nor do I yet know the art
of waiting patiently.
Yet I practise
awaiting His presence.

Advent comes

Today in darkness,
now December has arrived:
day before Advent.

Luke 1: an orderly account
that we might know
the certainty of things.

Zechariah: no longer waiting
for a child: only doubting.
Even an angel
could not convince him easily.

Yet Elizabeth knew. As did Mary.
These long-suffering women
accepted news of undreamed
pregnancy gladly.

This first chapter
of the Jesus story
is full of songs of certainty.