Christmas at home in Australia

blistering heat
crass commercialism
visiting local Christmas lights
Gracelands and Macquarie Hills
excessive eating
cricket
family
nativity debates
struggles to avoid snowmen
carrots, rum balls and a cold beer for Santa
reindeer footprints in the sprinkled powder
a lack of peace of on earth
hypocrisy
poverty
friendship
goodwill
prezzies
mad relatives
bombs in Iraq
boxing day recovery
cricket on the radio
follow up chocolates
packing up the tree
stowing the lights
doing it all again next year!!

Above all the paradox of the weak and vulnerable child born in difficult circumstances living a vision of how the world could be different and getting it so right it challenges the established 'God in a box' arrangements and leads to the death of that child. Not a model for "success" NO but a model for grace, life, hope and direction...

To be reminded of any of this, read the story for yourself... whether Matthew, Mark, Luke or John and the rest...
or catch 'Jesus of Montreal' and give Mel Gibson a miss!!

Happy Christmas from the pumphouse!!