A poem for Christmas 2022
Arthur is away. Stephie is away more. And I am away from home At home with my babies, Searching with the magi for Joy. Artwork by the charity TADEC (Tanzania Deaf Child)
Our Jesse Tree story
Merry Christmas! Today we put the final ornament on our Jesse Tree. It tells the whole story of the Bible over the Advent period, as we remember Jesus’ first coming and look forward to his second. There are lots of different versions, but below is the one I’ve developed over […]
Jesus in the trees 2: In search of an Australian Christmas
I like the way Christianity lingers in the December experience of every Australian. I’d be really sad to see it go. But I do know that it is only on the periphery for many people… It would be so much more satisfying if the deeper meaning of Christmas could surface […]
Jesus in the trees 1: English folk carols
Even though I’ve got the name of the great defender of Britain, I’m not English, or British. I once heard that I have some Scottish ancestry. My parents used to play Enya and ‘A Celtic Heartbeat Christmas’, so does that make me Irish? Anyway, I’m still drawn to the songs […]
Learning carols for Advent 2016
He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found This morning our family hung the first installment on our Jesse Tree (purple circles => God). Tamie and I are going through the Common Grace Advent devotions on Being Present. And we continue to draw on the […]
Anticipation and presence at Advent
Advent starts today. It’s a time of waiting and mystery, but we know what it is we’re anticipating: the coming of Christ. Christ has come. We know who he is, and what he did. The mystery is not around his identity or his work. The mystery lies in the why […]
Opportunities of a cross-cultural Christmas
As Advent season kicks off, we’ve been watching all the Christmas preparations that are going on in Australia. This is our first Christmas not in transition for 5 years and with Elliot growing up it’s a good opportunity to start thinking some more about our family Christmas traditions. Living cross-culturally […]
Meet Jesus at uni 