PLEASE PRAY FOR LAWRENCE AND DORA

Dear Mimi,
After a few moments of hope, my dad Lawrence, collapsed again and was rushed to hospital. The doctor said his pressure is good but now the problem is that his veins are now so conscripted and they is nothing that can be done for him except to make him comfortable. I am in London and trying to find flights to Zimbabwe from London to Zimbabwe and it is proving difficult. Please pray that I can get flights in time to see my dad alive and alert. And also that he remains comfortable. I have not completely recovered from my mother's death in 2004 who died as I left my house for the airport. I want to see my dad alive but only if waiting form is not prolonging pain. Thanks for the prayers.
Dora (Rudo)

PS. Got tickets and it seems my dad is already giving his final will and testament. My flight is for 30th and I hope he can wait for us to get there

Lawrence, may God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel, especially Dora; surround her with your loving care; protect her from every danger; and bring her in safety to her journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

Dora, may the God of all grace fill your heart and mind with the peace that passes understanding as you await the journey to be with your father, Lawrence.

UPDATE: From Dora (Rudo):

Thanks for the prayers and the words. I am not at all discouraged. It is good to know that there is a community praying for my dad and my family. The waiting is a bit tough. I have seen and talked to him on skype and he seems comfortable. I hope whatever happens I will be able to accept.

Thanks for checking in, Dora. We will continue our prayers for your father and for you and your brother to get to Zimbabwe in time.

"...JESUS CHRIST IS BORN!"

A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

"FOR A CHILD HAS BEEN BORN FOR US...."

Caravaggio - "Adoration of the Shepherds" - 1609 - Museo Nazionale, Messina

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS TODAY...

...those in our community and beyond who will spend this Christmas in pain and/or alone and/or unemployed and/or exiled from their church.

From MadPriest at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong.

"O HOLY NIGHT" (NAVAHO)

A Christmas Card with Jana Mashonee's rendition of "O Holy Night" in Navajo. It is accompanied by appropriate winter scenery on Navajo land featuring original artwork by Daniel Tate.

H/T to Ann at What the Tide Brings In.

INTELLECTUALS AT THE NUDIST COLONY

Two intellectuals were at a nudist colony. They were talking, and one asked the other, "Have you read Marx?"

And the other replies, "Yes, it's the wicker chairs."

Don't blame me. Blame Bruce (aka Canon Itchy).

LAST MINUTE DECORATING?

Jesus tree topper from Ship of Fools




Nativity rubber duckies also from Ship of Fools

Thanks to Cathy for the links.

CHRISTMAS DRAGON

What's that supposed to be? I said.
That's a Christmas dragon, he said. If
Santa rode around with this instead of
all those reindeer I think it'd put real
teeth in the naughty-or-nice thing.

Love it, love it, love it.

From StoryPeople.

THE TREE OF JESSE

Jan Mostaert - "The Tree of Jesse" - 1485 - Oil on panel

Out of the old man's abdomen grows a strange tree. Sitting on the branches, which seem to reach up to heaven, are colourfully clothed men. At the top of the tree, the very crown, is the Virgin Mary with her child on her lap and surrounded by angels. The old man is Jesse, ancestor of the royal house which traditionally produced the likes of Solomon, David and Christ. Sitting on the branches of the tree are Jesse's descendants. Artists usually depicted the Jesse tree schematically: a trunk with branches depicting the ancestors of Jesus. Jan Mostaert's approach was different. He turned Jesus' family tree into a real tree, in a monastic garden.

Now Lapin tells me. Better late than never.

That can't be comfortable.

Click on the picture for the larger view.

From the RijksMuseum.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY

From Dora (aka Rudo):

Thanks for your prayers. My dad continues to be in need of prayer because he had another stroke on Wednesday. He is now in hospital and his blood pressure continues to be high. Pray that he gets the new medication soon and that he responds well to it.
Thanks,
Dora


O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Dora's dad the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.