HOLDING HOPE...

"In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, HOPE to despair..." -Howard Thurman (1899-1981) 

"There is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before....

                                                             

So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold..."-Jan L. Richardson ( artist)

"When you have ears to hear and eyes to see... 

                                              

...you will recognize Him at any moment in your life..." -Henri Nouen

"While we wait for God....

                                                      

...we are with God all along, that while we need to be reassured of God's arrival, or the arrival of our homecoming...

...we are already at home..." -Michelle Blake

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...

...on those living in a land of deep darkness a light has dawned..."

                                                                                                                                       - Isaiah 9:2-6

"Advent is the art of holding HOPE gently, until it becomes light..."

                    - unknown

"When the song of the angels is stilled...

...when the star in the sky is gone, the work of Christmas begins...." 

-Howard Thurman (author, theologian, civil rights leader)

Photographs 2025. First Advent of Hope.

ANGELS....

"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array...." -Genesis 2:1


 

"For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.." -Psalms 91:11 

"It was revealed to them  that they were not serving themselves but you. Even angels long to look into these things.." -1Peter 1:12

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it...." 

-Hebrews 13:2

"And  I saw another angel flying thru the sky...." - Revelation 14:6

"You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly..." Hebrews 12:22-H

"Nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angel and are sons of God..." -Luke 20

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels ,numbering thousands , and ten thousand times ten thousand...." -Revelation 5:11

"And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds...." - Matthew 24:31

Photographs 2024

CHRISTMAS 2019 ( with Spencer) "A Christmas Carol" by Sara Teasdale

 CHRISTMAS 2019

Like one of the three kings, Spencer comes from afar, from the hill and four houses down. To see what is to be seen. To visit. A faithful visitor.  Last year, he came on Christmas Eve and sat in the snow, so quietly coming down. So perfectly posed.........

 A lot of people have asked about the quote on the Christmas card this year. I adapted if from a wonderful poem written by Sara Teasdale. I only used a minute portion.My favourite lines are the last two....... Here it is, in its original format:

 CHRISTMAS CAROL by SARA TEASDALE                                         (1911)

 The kings they came from out the south, all dressed in ermine fine;

 They bore Him gold and chrysoprase, and gifts of precious wine. 
(chyrsoprase , in the New Testament, was a green precious jewel)

 The shepherds came from out the north, their coats were brown and old;

 They brought Him little new born lambs...they had not any gold.

 The wise men came from out the east, and they were wrapped in white;

 The star that led them all the way did glorify the night.

 The angels came from heaven high, and they were clad with wings;

And lo, they brought a joyful song the host of heaven sings.

 The kings they knocked upon the door, the wise men entered in,

 The shepherds followed after them, to hear the song begin.

 The angels sang through all the night

 Until the rising sun,

 But little Jesus fell asleep

 Before the song was done...................

     A Merry Christmas, one and all....

          "These three remain. Faith, Hope and Love.But the greatest of these is Love. " (1 Cor 13)

Spencer and brother Smokey 2013 

                                                     1st pic at Christmas time, together

Photographs 2019