First Coming

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and His light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the Stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

~ Madeline L'Engle


Here at Christmas, as we hurry from one task to the next, its the small things that fill us with wonder. The smile of a child, the warmth of extending a simple kindness to a stranger... touching someone else's life... especially when there is no personal gain. The small selfless acts that bring home to our hearts the meaning of what Christmas is based on.. the birth of goodness and light... the opening of possibilities that we each can impact our own little corner of the world... and not wait for the "perfect" time to arrive before we act.

There's a Miracle in Christmas

There's a miracle in Christmas-
there's a stillness in the air
And excitement in the shining eyes
of children everywhere.

There's a miracle in Christmas
as each silent night unfolds,
And we see again the promise
that this holy season holds.

There's a wonnder in traditions,
in the stories passed along,
In our thoughtfulness towards others,
and in our voices raised in song.

There's a reassuring comfort
in the joy glad tidings bring
And an inner peace from honoring
and prasing Christ the King.

There's a magic in the season,
in the kindnesses we do,
Whether joys are shared by many
or among a special few.

There's an awareness of our gratitude
from blessings from above;
There's a miracle in Christmas,
and the miracle is love.

- Jan Miller Girando

Even if it's a little thing, do something for those who have need of help, somethign for which you get no pay but the privelge of doing it.
~ Albert Schweitzer
(1875- 1965)

To want to embrace the world and realize peace on earth is admirable, but starting with the person next to you is truly where universal love begins.
~ Corrine De Winter

Wishing you peace, joy, love and happiness this Christmas and throughout the year.

Happiness....

The following was taken from an e-mail. To me, there is a bit of comfort in this part of the message, that its ok not to keep putting off your own happiness just to make things easier for someone who doesn't value happiness in the same way as you.

"Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that youhave and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting...

Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die

There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,and dance like no one's watching."