Creative Challenge 282: Joy

Joy is encountering the beauty of God's creation

Be sure to check out the other entries here.

The music of Morten Lauridsen

Morten Lauridsen is regarded by many as the U.S.A.'s finest contemporary choral composer, and for good reason! If you haven't, I'd encourage you to listen to likely his most famous piece, "O Magnum Mysterium," sung here beautifully by the Nordic Chamber Choir. When one listens to such inspirational music, one is given the gift of heaven on earth. The music takes you away from your troubles, pains, stresses and strains of life, into The Holy Presence of healing, joy, love, peace, and grace. For those of you who may be interested in learning more about this composer, visit his website at: Morten Lauridsen.

Happy New Year

Thank you to all of my readers, and to those who took the time and made the effort to leave a comment.

Christmas continued

As the season of Christmas continues up to January 5-the day before Epiphany-the following photos are from our Christmas tree. We are blessed to have a wide variety of nativity decorations, which we've collected over the years. 

Evergreeen Christmas tree symbol of eternity

 

 

Nativity decoration

One of my favourite nativity decorations

 "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood." (John 1:14, from: Eugene Peterson, The Message)

Christmas Nativity and Benediction

May the love of our Heavenly Father;  the joy of Jesus Christ+ our Saviour’s birth; and the peace of the Holy Spirit fill your hearts, minds and lives this Christmas and always.

Creative Challenge 281: Sweet

Nativity Lights

Many thanks Danette for coming up with a weekly creative challenge in 2013. I wish you and all of the other participants a blessed Christmas full of joy and peace. Here are a few lines I wrote for this week's creative challenge:

What is true may not be sweet,

nor is the truth always neat.

God is full of surprises,

the low and fallen rises,

thanks to the birth of Jesus

Christmas is here to free us.

Let hallelujahs be raised,

And the Son of God be praised!

Be sure to check out the other entries here. 

Nelson Mandela Tribute Video

One Canadian journalist whom I respect, Brian Stewart, has written and presented a documentary on Nelson Mandela-check it out at the CBC website here. Stewart gives us the realistic picture of South Africa's first black, iconic President. There is no question that the world has lost a gifted leader, whose legacy shall live on in the hearts, minds and lives of human beings from every corner of the globe.  I think the most significant contribution that Nelson Mandela made was that of being able to forgive and initiate reconciliation with his enemies of the Apartheid regime. On one of his visits to the United States, he had this to say to Vermont's senator, Patrick Leahy: "Patrick, because of my imprisonment I was able to lead my country out of apartheid. For that I do not feel bitterness, but joy." I think that quote epitomises the high moral-ethical, and spiritual nature of the man. Rest eternal grant Nelson Mandela, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.