To Be Present

Feels like I should post something more Christmassy today, but true to the spirit of Blip of recording our days, what we mostly did this day was look after Zion and Allegra, while their Mum prepared her talk for our "Candles and Communion" service, and their Dad prepped for the big Christmas meal that our church does for those who would otherwise be on their own. It was a stunning day, and we had a great walk down Newhall; here they are with "Dada", being a train on the boardwalk. They also built churches and knocked them down (extra), slept in tents and had breakfast twice while Nana had a quick nap.

We did go to the Communion service, Deb did a great job, and the kids were so well behaved. Meanwhile, both Paul and Ju were working long days, caring for the elderly and the expectant, respectively. Proud of them all. 

Advent reading was Luke 2:1-14, and the angel telling the shepherds:

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem!

In both Portuguese and English, the word "present" has two meanings: to be here now; and a gift that is given. In both senses, Jesus is the present of God. And we learn from him to be present, again, for each other.

I wish for all of you, my Blip friends, a Christmas where someone is present for you, and where you can be present for another! Merry, merry Christmas!