Posts Tagged “Christmas”

Powerful Unrealities

09-12-2009 admin No Comments

Christmas Unrealities: A meditation on the bits that we remember, but are not actually in the gospel story.

21/12/04

 

Read Luke 2.1-20 to find out what the story is

 

  1. The Donkey. Sing Little donkey. (Words printed at the end)
  2. The innkeeper. What would you have done in his place? Compose for yourself a short speech for the Innkeeper.
  3. The shepherds’ Lamb
  4. Read Mat 2.1- 12. If there were a fourth wise man at the stable. (The others went to the house) What gift would you have bought
  5. The X in Christmas (X-mas) what title would you give Jesus The Bible has: Christ, Word Wisdom of God, wonderful counsellor, Immanuel. What would yours be?

 

my meditation: Paschal Bernard Baute Advent/Christmas meditation December 1, 1998

 

 

Once, a long time ago
I imagined there were still great discoveries
and inventions to be found beyond
all those wonderful things
we already had, like
automobiles, airplanes, telephone, electricity.

and that these discoveries were hidden
in secret holes in the fabric of reality,
in the spaces of the ethereal surrounding us,
–that most of us were simply not yet aware of,
that these missing holes would be discovered
by those who were astute enough
to recognize the wonderful missing stuff in these
silent spaces among real things.

Now, fifty years later, I realize
it is the silent spaces themselves
that are significant and pregnant
not real things, the still yet unknown,
not the known, but the spiritual truths.

To intuit the vast meaning and mystery
of these silences, one must learn
to become very still, inwardly still.
It means cultivating a special way
of knowing and sensing:
–communicating without words.

Is it only in the deepest of silences
one can hear
these muses of heart…….whisper?
Do we need words as much as we think we do?

Hush! Be inwardly still.
You are about to miss It.
There is some piece of your truth
still waiting for your own mystical self,
in the silent empty spaces of the fabric of your amazing life.

 

Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load
Been a long time, little donkey, through the winters night
Dont give up now, little donkey,
Bethlehems in sight

Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem

Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day
Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way
Little donkey, little donkey, journey’s end is near
There are wiseman waiting for a sign to bring them here

Do not falter little donkey, there’s a star ahead
It will guide you, little donkey, to a cattle shed

Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem

Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day
Little donkey, carry Mary, safely on her way
Little donkey, carry Mary, safely on her way

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A Political Chirstmas

09-12-2009 admin No Comments

A Political Christmas

Speaker: Order, order! I call upon the Leader of the Opposition
Leader Of the Oposition Mister Speaker. Is the prime minister aware that in the middle East, at a time of acute international tension a star has appeared over Bethlehem. What is the government going to do about this? What is their policy?
Prime Minister: If a star, in fact, has appeared in the East as the Right Honourable gentleman alleges; it is entirely due to the firm stand which this government has taken, and the careful diplomacy pursued by my Right Honourable friend the Foreign Secretary.It should be remembered that when the party opposite were in power no stars appeared over Bethlehem; and perhaps even more significantly no Stars were invited to cocktail parties at number ten.
LoO: Is it not a fact that other countries have already sent special representatives to Bethlehem bearing gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh? Will the government make similar gestures to ensure that we do not lose our influence over the situation.
Labour Back Bencher It were ‘is lot that stopped you getting myrrh on the National Health.
Speaker Order Order! Do let the Prime minister answer the question.
PM: The Right Honourable Member opposite has just shown his total lack of grasp of economic management. We shall not depart from the prudent fiscal policies pursued by my Right Honourable colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Policies which have brought this  country unparalleled price stability and prosperity. We shall not squander our gold reserves in reckless speculation or foreign adventures.
LoO: Madam Speaker I am incensed [laughter] by the Prime Minister’s unwillingness to face the real issue. What is his policy with regard to the Star of Bethlehem?
PM: Our policy is dictated by the best interests of the British people, not by party dogma. But be assured of this, our policies have ended the isolationism of the previous government and put Great Britain at the heart of the Middle East.
LoO: The Prime Ministers weakness in diplomacy is obviously equalled by his lack of grasp of geography. It is widely believed that the Star, heralds the birth of a new king. What is he going to do about it?

 

Blair Our policies on devolution have strengthened the constitution not weakened it; and in no way affect the role of the monarchy or the position of the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.
LoO: It is widely believed that this new King will institute a new age of peace prosperity and well being. I refer the Prime minister to the report by the Jerusalem institute for religious forecasting chapter 60 verse 17: “Instead of bronze I will bring gold silver in place of iron Instead of wood I will bring you bronze and iron in place of stone. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.”Can he show any evidence that he has grasped the importance of these issues?
PM: I refer to my previous answer. Peace and prosperity have been the result of this governments policies.
LoO: Will the Prime minister say clearly. What action he intended’s to take in view of this entirely new situation. Does he not realise that the birth of the saviour represents the fulfilment of mankind’s most ancient hopes and makes possible a new heaven and a new earth?
PM: In any perfect reign of the Prince of Peace there will be no opposition, and I know I speak for the British people in welcoming that.
LoO: If the Kingdom of God has come among us in the form of a child. What is the party opposite going to do about it?
PM: If a kingdom of universal peace, brotherhood, justice and righteousness; well being and sufficiency is established; as the Right Honourable gentleman opposite implies; then we shall join when it is in the best interests of Great Britain to go in. And we  shall hold a referendum to establish the wishes of the British people.
Crowd Cries of hurrah or resign or answer or bravo
Speaker Order, order!
   
   
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