Feeling blue? Keep Christmas always in your heart!

 

2-minute Bible reading and meditation

Hello, and welcome! 

Today, 29^th December, is the 5^th Day of Christmas, yet so very many people, Christians included, seem to think that after Christmas Day, the whole celebration is over. Not me, though! There is still lots to formally celebrate in this season. This includes the Epiphany on Sunday 5th January 25. The Christmas Octave, from Christmas Day to New Year's Day, culminates in the celebration of Mary, the Mother of God. Then there is the big celebration of the Baptism of the Lord on 12th January 25 which marks the end of this year’s Christmas season.  Yet, the rejoicing will never cease as long as we remember that the relevance of Christmas is eternal! 

“What does Christmas mean to you?” is the big question posed on the postage stamp of a Christmas card from a dear friend in Jersey. It’s a good one. 

My answer to the question is that, first and foremost, it is the celebration of the birthday of Christ, the Messiah, God-made-man.  If that is your answer too, yet you still feel a bit down, you can improve your mood by switching your focus back onto the Light of the World.

Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

If you know Christ, or even if you don’t yet know Him, you could try this short meditation to think that over.

Meditation

1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.

2. Now consider Jesus’ words and their meaning.  

3. Read the above Bible quote of St John’s and ponder on it for a few moments.

4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Lord Jesus, only a few short days ago I celebrated Your birthday, but today I feel gloomy. So please will You fill me with Your love and light, and help me to share that with everyone I meet. Amen.”

5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.

 

May the light and love of Christ's birth fill your heart today and always.    

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Poem by Pauline Lewis inspired by Pray Then Listen!

 A favourite riverbank close to my home in Wales

Hello dear friend,

Thanks so much for dropping by today. I do hope that what you read inspires you in some way, and makes your day a little brighter. I am writing this post on 1^st September and I do love this month. It goes back to childhood, I think, and the new autumn school term. I used to love school. Later in my life, I often signed up for evening classes starting this month. I fondly remember Spanish lessons and art classes. Great fun! Today, I am eager to share a lovely poem with you.

Recently my dear friend, and fellow Christian author, Pauline Lewis, was kind enough to review my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen. She said, “I am being blessed by Pray Then Listen. It has become a valued part of my prayer time.” Since Pauline has dedicated so much of her life to working for Christ, even becoming a missionary in what was then called Papua New Guinee, I felt humbled by her feedback.

One section of Pray Then Listen leads you into ways to help to bring the Bible alive. One of the Bible passages I use is based on John 9:1-41, the man born blind. After carrying out the exercise using my methods Pauline was inspired to write this poem.

MEDITATION

To use Pauline's poem as a meditation, start by breathing in deeply, holding that breath for a few seconds, then, as you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax.

 

Now read the poem slowly, ideally aloud, using your whole focus.

 

BORN BLIND – by Pauline Lewis

Newborn babe, sound in mind,

Heart and limb, just blind,

Born blind.

No gentle dog to guide his way

Art or skill to help each day,

He’s blind, born blind, blind he will stay.

He’s blind.

 

God’s curse is on him, men may say.

‘Who sinned? Who sinned,’ he hears each day.

But Jesus comes, he is the Way

To help this man born blind.

 

With mud and spittle making clay

‘Now go and wash’ he hears him say.

How gladly, gladly he’ll obey.

Now he’s no longer blind!

 

And men may grumble and complain.

‘Do not believe in Christ’, they say

But he’s seen the rainbow in the rain

And looked on the face of God.

 

Born blind, born blind is what men say,

But now he knows another way.

Born blind indeed he may have been,

Yet born for the glory of God.

 

When you have finished reading the poem close your eyes for a few moments and think over the words. Finish the meditation by breathing in, holding that breath for a few moments, and after you breath out slowly, have a big stretch.

Whenever I learn that my books and other writings have encouraged and inspired a reader, I thank the Lord for that blessing. I am in awe of such a response. I think you will agree that Pauline’s poem is brilliant! Visit Pauline’s blog to check out her other works using this link: plreadywriter.blogspot.co.uk

For more inspiration through my work please see below:

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

For more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

I'd love to hear your thought on Pauline's poem, or any other feedback on this post today.

God bless,

Teresa 

PS. About those links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity  "