A Curious Girl: There's a world outside your window

Merry Christmas!

OK, an ickle bit late now :) But only just.

'Twas nice. Usual. Got some nice pressies (a scanner! wahey! and this amazing little handwarmer thing, which I promptly analysed and now could probably tell you how it works), Eric phoned, we played Trivial Pursuit and Articulate, and ate vast quantities of very lovely dinner. Also I called Matthew this morning :)

Some Jehovah's Witnesses called this morning. If they ever do so when I'm hosting christmas dinner, I'll see if I can cajole them into joining in! I wish I hadn't thrown away the video the Blood Donor Service had given me. I think they would have found it most informative... That's the one wild and wacky belief I could never tolerate.

I wonder how everyone else's Christmas was? For once I didn't rush into this Christmas with false expectations of its wonderfulness, and I'm troubled by news of famine and war - I'm wondering if that whole 'goodwill to all men' is not, in fact, a bit of a farce. It troubles me that whilst we were tucking into our big dinners, there were plenty of people who didn't have anything, not because there isn't enough food but because there is plenty of food in the wrong place.

It also shocked me a bit at work yesterday, I suddenly realised - quite a few of our staff are refugees (I know a couple at least have foster parents - they're away from their parents). Several others are away from their families or don't have families. I'm wondering where they are, and what they were doing this Christmas day. Makes you wonder how the whole 'Christmas is a family time' is meant to include them...

I guess that's why the JWs were around on Christmas day - anyone left on their own would probably be open to any sort of company...

*sigh* Steve Chalke wrote in He Never Said (a book I thoroughly recommend) how Jesus extended the definition of family from biological links to all of his followers - and isn't that what we should be doing? Not being insular and retreating to family groups, but extending our love to any who'll have it...

But anyway! Happy (Official) Birthday Jesus Christ, Saviour of Mankind, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Almighty God.

From the squalor of a borrowed stable,
By the spirit and a virgin's faith;
To the anguish and the shame of scandal
Came the Saviour of the human race!
But the skies were filled with the praise of heav'n,
Shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the Gift of God come down to Man
At the dawning of Immanuel

King of heaven now the Friend of sinners,
Humble servant in the Father's hands,
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit,
Filled with mercy for the broken man
Yes. He walked my road and He felt my pain,
Joys and sorrows that I know so well;
Yet His righteous steps give me hope again -
I will follow my Immanuel!

Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal,
He was lifted on a cruel cross;
He was punished for the world's transgressions,
He was suffering to save the lost
He fights for breath, He fights for me
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
And with a shout our souls are free -
Death defeated by Immanuel!

Now He's standing in the place of honour,
Crowned with glory on the highest throne,
Interceding for His own beloved
Till His Father calls us to bring him home!
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell;
But the Bride will run to her Lover's arms,
Giving glory to Immanuel!

-Stuart Townend Here's a good poem to read.

Random word for today: Incarnate

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