Then Herod assembled the wise men secretly and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child.”
Photo on the top of this page was taken from the Medecins Sans Frontieres website
Masters of War
By Bob Dylan
Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin’
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young people’s blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You’ve thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I’m young
You might say I’m unlearned
But there’s one thing I know
Though I’m younger than you
That even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good?
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could?
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I’ll follow your casket
By the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand over your grave
‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead
Candlelight Carol
How do you capture the wind on the water?
How do you count all the stars in the sky?
How can you measure the love of a mother?
Or how can you write down a baby’s first cry?
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star-glow
Shine on his cradle ’til breaking of dawn
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing “The Christ child is born”
Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him
Seraphim ’round him, their vigil will keep
Nations proclaim him their Lord and their saviour
But Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star-glow
Shine on his cradle ’til breaking of dawn
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing “The Christ child is born”
Find him in Bethlehem laid in a manger
Christ our redeemer, asleep in the hay
Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation
A child with his mother that first Christmas Day
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star-glow
Shine on his cradle ’til breaking of dawn
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing “The Christ child is born”
7 Prayers for the Advent
By Reverend Henry Keys
WEDNESDAY
In this time of expectancy and preparation,
Lord You challenge me to examine myself
To put away my pride and accept Your humility
To understand my need for repentance, forgiveness and mercy
For less of self and more of You
Lord help me to accept Your challenge to love my neighbour as I love myself
To give and not to count the cost
Help me to share the gifts that You have given me
– gifts of time and money, of care, comfort,
friendship and love
as we prepare for Your coming and celebrate the joy of Christmas.
Be with us in all we do today
Amen
“I don’t remember Moses writing, ‘Thou shalt not kill.. unless you think you have a good reason.”
Willie Nelson
The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart