General Chat

Good morning :-)

Boxing Day – the day after Christmas Day, and it is also St. Stephen’s Day.

It is generally thought that Boxing Day was so-called because it was the day when the donation box in churches were opened and the money distributed to the poor.

Nowadays, of course, it is known for its sales as thousands of people rush to the shops to spend money. How things change.

Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons of the Christian Church and was also the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death because he accused the Jews of being ungrateful to God and of murdering Jesus, whose coming, he said, had been foretold by Moses.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable day.....Love, Cx :-)

Good morning and a very Happy and Blessed Christmas to you all.


And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Emma, and I hope your Christmas is happy and peaceful.


The final Advent thought....

At last Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. It was crowded with other people who needed to pay their taxes. Mary was very tired and needed a place to stay. At each inn, the story was the same. There was no room for them. Eventually, one kind innkeeper said he had a stable where he kept his animals. They were welcome to stay there.

Advent Act of Kindness

Pray for all those who are fleeing their own country and for those who are about to give birth.

Cx :-)

Thank you again Cynthia x

Have a lovely Christmas Vera with your son and family.

My son is home from Nigeria for Christmas and we are fortunate
also to be with them and rest of family on that day.

Cynthia I wish you and yours seasons greetings.

My thoughts and prayers to those who are grieving and alone at this time
and hope they find some comfort with their memories. <3

Good morning :-)


Thank you for your posting Vera - I agree how sad it is with families falling out. Our Christmas will be a bit subdued as my son's mother-in-law died last week and we are having to wait until after Christmas for the funeral to take place.


I am sure you will have a lovely time in Yorkshire Vera - one of my favourite counties... <3


The Advent calendar for today :


Maybe Christmas
He thought
Doesn’t come
From a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps,
Means a little bit more.
- The Grinch

Advent Act of Kindness

Pray for all clergy as they begin the long haul of Christmas services - and for their families.

Thank you for the week's posts Cynthia.

I was having coffee with a group of friends this morning and they were all talking about members of their families who were at loggerheads. One hadn't spoken to her son for ten years, another said that her daughter-in-law had fallen out with her mother and wasn't speaking to her, another said she was the go-between for her two sisters who wouldn't communicate with each other. It all seemed so sad to me and brought home to me yet again how blessed I am to be part of a very close and supportive family. Special Christmas thoughts for everyone who isn't surrounded by love of family and friends.

We are off to our son in Yorkshire for Christmas so I would like to wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas <3

Good morning :-)


Look at the candy cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me.

White is for my saviour
Who is sinless and pure
‘J’ is for Jesus my lord
That’s for sure.

Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for me.

ADVENT ACT OF KINDNESS

Take a box of chocolates to your doctor's surgery to thank them for their help over the last year.

Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-)


A bit late, but one of those days........

Winter has arrived so my computer tells me.

Our Advent calendar for today...


CHRISTMAS IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT OPENING PRESENTS, AS OPENING OUR HEARTS.

Today's Advent Act of Kindness.

Write out several little ‘happy’ notes and place in a box. Give the box to someone who needs cheering up so that they can look at one each day.'


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Almost at the shortest day...….


Words from a popular carol...…."Been a long time little donkey, through the winter's night, don't give up now little donkey, Bethlehem's in sight."


Advent Act of Kindness

Invite someone who lives on their own, in for coffee and mince pies.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Rain and more rain...…..


Gracious Lord, we pray for all those who are refugees. Those running in fear. Those in camps. Those taking tremendous risks just to survive. We pray that you might be with them and we ask for your presence to be with all those who work with refugees. Give them favour and encouragement in their work. Amen.

Advent Act of Kindness

Pray for other Christians around the world who are preparing to celebrate Christmas in their own culture.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Sounds really windy this morning...……….. :-(


Lord, we thank you for what we learn from one another.

We love the miracle of the worldwide Church. People of all ages brought together through your amazing love. Those of every tongue, tribe and nation.

Help us God never to lose sight of the global Church and all you are doing in and through it. Amen.

Advent Act of Kindness for today :

Pray for all the military personnel who will be away from home this Christmas - and for their families.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Thank you Vera...... <3


Our Advent Calendar for today :

Gracious Lord, we pray for those who are feeling lost, lonely and sad as we approach Christmas Day. There are those for whom the day is anything but special - those who are ill, bereaved, lost or lonely.

May we all be aware of those folk in our midst and do what we can to alleviate their pain. Amen.


Advent Act of Kindness

Say something encouraging to everyone you meet today.

Good evening

I hope you had a more restful night Cynthia.

I second Emma’s thanks for the week’s posts. I like the suggestions for the daily acts of kindness as they are small and achievable but can make a big difference to someone’s day.

I hope you all have a good week in the lead up to Christmas :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Emma - so nice to see you.


The Collect (special prayer) for today :



Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent

The Collect (special prayer) for today :
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

The gospel is from Luke and tells of John the Baptist proclaiming the Good News.

Today's Advent Act of Kindness..

Pray for the doctors and nurses who will be working over Christmas.


Cx :-)

No act of kindness,
no matter how small,
is ever wasted.

Aesop.

Thank you again Cynthia for this weeks Advent Calendar :-)

Good morning :-)

Having been up with OH since about 4am...I am very early today :-D


The Advent Calendar for today :

Lord, we thank you for what we learn from one another. We love the miracle of the worldwide Church. People of all ages brought together through your amazing love. Those of every tongue, tribe and nation. Help us God never to lose sight of the global Church and all you are doing in and through it. Amen.


Advent Act of Kindness

Smile at everyone you meet today. :-)

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Advent calendar for today....

Lord, help me not to hide my light. Save me from apathy and the blandness that so easy envelops us. Let me use my energy in ways that bless others and demonstrate your love. May the peoples praise you, O God. Amen.



Advent Act of Kindness


Next time you go to a coffee shop, order a 'suspended coffee' (pay in advance) for a coffee for someone in need.

Good morning :-)


ooh it's chilly this morning......brrr

The Advent Calendar for today:

Lord, for all those who are homeless, we ask that you may provide help and care for them. Give your Church compassion and help us not to just pass by. Lord, show us what we can do practically this year that would lift up those who are struggling.

Lord, we pray for those agencies that work with the homeless, may they receive the resources and wisdom they need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Advent Act of Kindness

Give your postman a small gift of appreciation.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I have just heard the dreaded word 'snow' on the weather forecast....arrrghhh


Today's Advent Calendar

Lord God, we pray for all those who are isolated. Some that live in isolated communities across the world, and others who feel alone even in the midst of many people.

We pray that they may know your presence. We also pray for those who go to isolated communities across the world bringing supplies, medicines and support. Lord, have mercy. Amen.


Advent Act of Kindness

Send a Christmas card to someone who lives on their own.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

These early morning are so dark....

Advent Calendar for today:

Lord, help me to stand for truth today. Make me a person of honesty and integrity. Lord, when my courage fails, as it does, grant me your close presence to remind me that healing, forgiveness and love flow from you to me. Thank you, Amen.

Advent Act of Kindness

Write a letter or send a friendly email to someone you haven't spoken to in a while.



Cx :-)