FLOWER FRIDAY - THE PROMISE IS THERE!

I was hoping against hope that the Amaryllis, given to me by my D-i-L, Amanda and her husband, Sean, when they popped round a couple of weeks ago, would be in full flower by now - apparently, his Amaryllis has two huge flowers with another about to come out, mine is in second place and hers, by her own description as it’s so tall looks like “Jack and the beanstalk”!

So, Amaryllis blooms take their time and come out when they’re ready, but I console myself with the fact that “the promise is there”!

And isn’t that what Christmas and particularly Advent is all about - waiting for the promise - and celebrating every year that God comes to us all and blesses us with His love.  We may have different beliefs, but love is the centre of our focus.  As Christians, we believe that love is shown in Jesus coming as a baby - and perhaps my Amaryllis will be blooming on Christmas Day to signify that.  

Whatever you are doing at Christmas, keep that love at the centre and perhaps, whilst celebrating with family and friends or even in some cases, on your own, we could all spare a thought for those whose Christmas will not be one filled with love and sadly, particularly this year, there are  many for whom that will be true.  

Instead of being all about the presents, Christmas should be about the love being shared between family and friends and then continuing into the New Year.  This year, it may be another “different” Christmas but let’s still make it a special one!

“Christmas is most truly Christmas 
     when we celebrate it by giving 
          the light of love to those 
               who need it most.” 
Ruth Carter Stapleton

Advent Haiku
Both Scrooge and the Grinch
had a Christmas conversion,
and their hearts were changed.
Kathryn Epps