I do not know why I do this – it is May not December. Why December – one point in the year to remember. Stuff Christmas in July, what about May? What about every month? A day to remember the birth and one to remember His death. Or would that detract from the once yearly celebrations? [/sarcasm – maybe]

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling, “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the widerness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

It’s kind of pathetic how we only usually head to read the Christmas story around that time. I asked mum which one of the gospels had the most detailed account because I’d fogotten, so had she it seems. I asked Hannah and she thought I was testing her… okay.
So I’ll read Matthew – it’s first.

… so not the detailed account. 3 Chapters. But to return where the Isaiah passage left off:
John the Baptist in 3:11

“But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.”

Thank you God for the fulfilment, the promise of Jesus.
Help one point in each year not to be the only time I remember.
Your glory was revealed and will continue being revealed.
Help me to grasp the enormity of it all.
Help me to know you more.

later thoughts that didn’t make it onto paper…

So my Christmas was stuffed. My December 25th absorbed and consumed by a memory. It’s different doing it another time. Sure not the whole thing – hardly that for 30mins on a Friday night in May. It’s strange to put on ‘the Messiah’, quite without thinking and as a result set out urgently to find the Isaiah passage, the one that just makes it’s way into your hands quite naturally the other time of the year…

Not fit to carry his sandals…

What about a life with honesty and integrity? What about a life where we esteem You in your rightful place? What about a life where we cared less what others thought, and walked on ice but with confidence for you? What about a life of creativity and uniquness? What about a life where we asked the questions we were too afraid to ask? What about a life where we recognised each moment for what it was? What about a life where we would take those moments and make something of them? What about a life where we really knew and understood those we spend everyday with? What about a life where we acknowledged our failings our weaknesses and had the courage to change? What about a life where honor was more important then seeing that a person was either three steps back or three forward on the path of growth? What about a life where communication with you was more important than sharing who we are with another? What about a life where we would give our inconsistencies to you, a life where we could be ourselves? What about a life where love was predominant – Godly love? What about a life where we would set aside to be still and know God? What about a life where busyness could be pushed aside and the more important things take precedence? What about a life where we would recognise who you are? What about a life where we understood who we are from your perspective? What about a life where we could realise our dreams? What about a life that was not mediocre nor dry?

“Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Everything is meaningless.” – Ecc 12:8

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” – Ecc 12:13

I built these walls with blinders on my eyes
brick by brick and now I realize
that I’m shut out I’m shut in
and every time I try to reach out I reach in
I break my fingers on the bricks
why do I do this to myself
there is really no one else to blame

so could you reach down and pull me out
or am I just too far gone to be saved?
or am I just too far gone to be saved?

I take my falls, hands pulled behind my back
you made the knot and didn’t leave much slack
now I’m tied up I’m tied down
now every time I try to fly up I fly down
into the sea and hold my breath
I am a mirrored rumble fish
life is so clenching for the kill

so could you reach down and break my will
or am I just too far gone to be saved?
or am I just too far gone to be saved?

I’m shut out I’m shut in
and every time is try to reach out reach in
I break my fingers on the bricks
now every time I try to fly up I fly down
into the sea and hold my breath
I am a mirrored rumble fish
life is so clenching for the kill

so could you reach out and pull me out
or am I just too far gone
you’ll never be too far gone,
you’ll never be too far gone to be saved