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  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV I think Im going to start the blog this year with a look at this very well known verse from Isaiah as most of us will hear it repeatedly over the next few weeks.  For context, here is what comes before verse 6 9  [ a ] Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2  The people walking in darkness      have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness      a light has dawned. 3  You have enlarged the nation      and increased their joy; they rejoice before you   ...

 When I started writing these in 2011 I had no idea that I'd still be going strong in 2023!!  The Advent blog began as a way of me trying to keep myself focused on the run up to Christmas.  My kids were 6,8 and 10.  Life was full on busy.  I found it pretty hard to find time in my day to have a  'God moment'.  But writing the blog forced me to open my eyes every day to see ,and my ears every day to listen, and then to find half an hour to write down what I'd seen and heard.  You guys have become a faithful following over the years and for that I thank you.  If nobody was reading it would make it much harder to keep motivated. This year I find myself in a very different place from when I started. My boys are 18,21 and 22.  All are away from home. I 'retired ' from Jo Jingles when Karen sold the business earlier in the year.  And as I write I find myself in England, living with Mum who called for me to come on November 19th at 6 in th...

  My mother was born just before the war and when she was a toddler her father went off to serve in the merchant navy leaving his wife and daughter to fend for themselves for several years.  Mum tells the story of going to see her father when his boat was briefly docked somewhere in the UK.  Long journey in a brand new coat to go and see a man she didn't really know who was apparently her 'Daddy'.   She spilled soup down the brand new coat ( bought with long saved clothing coupons) and only really remembers the horror of her mother at this accident rather than anything much about the long-anticipated meeting When my grandfather did eventually come home from the war to return to his job as an insurance broker Mum recalls things being very difficult. Wife and daughter had become used to life being just the two of them.  'Daddy' was, to all intents and purposes, a complete stranger.  Granny kept setting the table for two people instead of three.  Whi...

 There's a radio programme on R4 where people have an opportunity to thank someone for something they didnt get a chance to at the time.  People who have had missing items returned,  flat tyres changed in the rain, medical assistance in an emergency = all sorts of everyday kindnesses and heroic actions for which people never had the time or opportunity to say thanks.  And on the radio they do.  Its heartening to hear stories of the kindness of strangers.  A Thank You goes a long way. The reason Im thinking about this today is that I was recently thanked for something I did over ten years ago.  And at the time I wasnt really sure Id done the right thing.  A lifelong friend was suffering from severe mental health difficulties following the breakdown of his marriage (due to his wife's affair). He was very very angry (understandable), deeply sad and also in a stressful and responsible job.  At points I believed he was suicidal but he was very res...

 why is Jesus a prince of peace and not King of Peace?