Two little birds,  attracted by the glitter and shiny gleaming surface of the aluminum pole, happily anchored their nest between the struts.

                 Caretaker humans in the park monitored them and ensured their safety.  

                  These little birds learnt a valuable lesson as they raised their family during a cold and blowy Spring and Summer Season.

                  No matter how hard they pecked at the shiny pole or scratched at its surface, this pole could not provide sustenance to sustain life.   There was no bark so no bugs under the surface and certainly no source of fluid.        They had to fly further and gather ALL their requirements.  

                                                                                                        During this Advent journey in 2022 towards the celebration of the Birth of Christ, I was reminded of something I wrote years ago as I watched as our Christmas tree sagged in the summer heat while baubles and streamers fell on the floor as strong winds blew through the house.    

                      What is Christmas?      If it is nothing but glitter and Glare and, preparations are only  endless rush and tear?                                                   If   the HEART is not centred and the BABY not honoured it’s no more than commerce and not worth our prayer and our care. 

          The truth I took from the aluminum pole is to reinforce again that if Jesus Christ is the solid ROCK on which our life is grounded, from Him is our spiritual sustenance – He is Bread of Life and River of Living water.  We don’t have to go around looking for other sources and while all the trappings of Christmas may provide temporary joyful escape from ordinary life when the Gift of Christmas is again unwrapped ,we can all be reignited by PEACE, HOPE, JOY and LOVE…….because UNTO US A CHILD WAS BORN!      In Him as Saviour is the salvation of our souls and remembering HIS BIRTH can carry us back into ‘ordinary’ life invigorated  with new vision and HOPE, and as we age, renewed JOY on our countenance and strength in our  walking. 

                                                             Continue to enjoy this journey towards Christmas Season and this year let’s all prayerfully determine to fully open the greatest Gift we will ever be given on Christmas Day.     

                                                                             HAPPY CHRISTMAS JOURNEYING!