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Sunday 28 December 2014

A few random thoughts about the media



I flipped on the television on Boxing Day. The presenters on our national broadcaster’s morning show were discussing the fact that many people in Australia do not celebrate Christmas, as they are of faiths other than Christianity or of no faith at all. They stated that many people chose to take advantage of the holiday to go to the beach or local parks and have picnics and play cricket.

I wonder why it was deemed necessary to make such remarks. From memory I don’t recall hearing the same thing during Ramadan or Buddha’s birthday or Chinese New Year. These festivals are duly mentioned respectfully in the media. Why is it that anything Christian is automatically reason for the media, the ABC in particular to be scornful and negative?

Our western civilisation is built upon Christian values. Our system of law derives from canonical law. The values that we hold dear are delineated in scripture- the equality of all men, honesty in business dealings, consideration for our neighbours, faithfulness in marriage. We temper justice with mercy.  We seek forgiveness and reconciliation rather than vengeance.

Anyone who states that all religions are harmful and much the same would do well to seriously research the tenets of the major faiths. There are major differences between them.

Which of course is why Christians are singled out for ridicule. If you abuse and mock Christianity, the worst thing that’s going to happen to you is that you will be prayed for. People are free to adopt or discard Christianity without ramifications. And Christians believe that all people are of one blood (Acts 17:26) made in the image of God, so do not regard anyone of another ethnicity or religion as in any way inferior.

So the next time that the media decides to rubbish the Christian faith, especially at times that are of deep significance to Christians such as Christmas or Easter, I would question what their agenda is and why the same deference is not accorded to Christianity as they seem able to do to other faiths.
  

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Merry Christmas

There is no snow here,
no frosty night
But in the blistering heat we celebrate
that Christ
is far more than traditions
and tinsel
and caroling and gourmet food
for all around the world
in wintry depths of snow
and broad savannahs
from pole to pole, on sea, in skies
in furthest lands
the Lord of hosts
the Saviour of the world
the babe of Bethlehem
is risen,
to rule and reign
our Saviour,  glorious King.

To everyone who has been a part of this blog over the last year, may you have a blessed and happy Christmas with family and friends and may God fill your heart with His peace and hope throughout 2015. with love from Jo xx


flowering gums, Christmas eve 2014

Friday 12 December 2014

Shepherds



Not for the likes of us
Warm beds, fine clothes, good food.
Dirty and poor
We walk the night watches on thorny ground
With sheep, those dumb creatures
Like as not to wander
Bleating and fooling each other
Still
With a certain affection
We tend the fires
Keep them safe from prowling wolves
and thieves
Night after night, monotonous year after year
Nobody turns an eye
to the likes of us

Yet we too have our talents-
Scouring the nostrils of newly-born lambs until
they heave with the breath of life
Watching the skies
Telling the seasons
Knowing when
the rains will begin and end
and the fresh green shoots will pierce
the thirsty ground
Relating the stories of old
that our fathers told each other

Then, one beauteous night
One dazzling star
So unlike any other
Who would believe
that angels sang around us
And we followed
There, to a lonely stable
To a baby born a king,
Glorious, wonderful,
A story for our children’s children,
Praise Him
because He came
for the likes of us.




Wednesday 3 December 2014

Wise Men



To this end, we had been searching
Many a decade long
Feeling inside an unknown emptiness
We named it not, but knew
It travelled beside us many a dusty road
Where lights of taverns, games of chance
and richest banquets set before us
did not satisfy
And all the wells of knowledge could not slake
this thirst
A memory lost in time, so long ago
We clutched and guessed at meaning
Hope flickering like the last breath
of wintry night on candlelight
And we, the three
Wise or foolish, who could say
Waited, watched
and in one glorious burst of light,
Followed.


Jo Collett 04/12/14