Monday, December 16, 2019

December 2019



Hello, dear reader!

The time has come for our customary summing up of the year that has passed, and a few thoughts about hope for the coming year, 2020.  The overwhelming sentiment that we would like to keep in the forefront of our minds is that of thankfulness, for God’s goodness to us as a family, and to Noel and me as a couple.  We spend our days in this beautiful place, and are surrounded by the diverse beauty of creation.  This year I want to share a story with you, rather than a report on what we have done.  After all, the year has passed so quickly ...!

A few days ago our 5-year old Isaac came to our home with his family.  He asked me if he could play the piano, and of course I said yes.  He headed off, but in a moment he ran back, saying to Mizz, “Mummy, Mummy, look!  It’s  THE STORY!” 

Isaac, with a look of awe on his beautiful face, showed his mother the knitted manger scene, which Emily’s mum Pat had made for us last year. 

Isaac’s kindergarten group had listened to THE STORY on the previous day at class.  The simple figures: Mary with the babe at her breast, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and assorted animals: Isaac recognised THE STORY, and responded with childish faith and love.

The Gospel of John begins with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (1:1)  John goes on to tell us that “The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.” (1:14)  THE STORY that Isaac saw and responded to in that special moment was the Word, that John wrote about; God who came and lived for a while among us.


Having written this brief note I went to the website http://joyandnoelannual.blogspot.com/ where I keep our annual letter.  This time last year I pondered with sadness the fact that our Lord Jesus was missing from kindergarten songs and stories and Christmas celebrations.  The trend away from matters of faith in public life is continuing.  What a joy it is to know that some in our community are happy to tell THE STORY to the children.

With love, Joy and Noel


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