December 4, 2021

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;… 

a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;       Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,6

Through our home organization business, we have seen just about everything. We have seen crowded garages, overstuffed closets, piles you have to make goat paths across, and various sundries we cannot even mention. 

We absolutely love what we do. We get to see the direct impact getting rid of clutter or organizing has on a person’s mental health. 

What makes the work exciting is that every job, every house, every client is completely different. Some clients show us “their mess” while we stand back and ask where the rest of it is. Everyone has a different relationship with what they find overwhelming. Clutter is so subjective. 

One common theme, however, is what we have dubbed the “I’m gonna pile.” We probably all have a pile, drawer, or tote of these items. Things I’m gonna make, or fix, or do. Maybe it’s scrapbook paper for the scrapbooks you are going to make, or the yarn for the sweater you are going to knit, or the jars for the jam you are going to make. 

We hope this is something we are going to get around to doing someday. 

However, the tough reality is that if we are honest with ourselves, there is no hope that we are actually going to do these things. But getting rid of these items has a deeper meaning for many people. It’s like we are giving up on our hopes and dreams. Letting go of those items means our hopes won’t come true. 

When it comes to home organization, we need to first have self-acceptance. It’s ok if we don’t fulfil these hopes. We are making room for things we will actually do, rather than feel guilty for not completing these activities every time we see the items. 

Hope is not without questions or doubts. But with the help of God, hope rises above despair. 

God can also help us declutter our minds during this busy season, making room for what’s really important. Take time to sit quietly, enjoy your surroundings, and clear your mind to see God’s blessings, thinking of the hope that is yet to come. 

Prayer:  O, God of hope, we remember today that Jesus is our hope – and the hope of the world. We thank God for the promises he has made to us. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice that announces his birth. Help us to clear our minds this advent season, to prepare room for what is really important. Amen

Laura Churchill Duke is an author, journalist, professional home organizer, and this year a communications professor at Acadia University. She lives in Kentville with her family and hopes for a time when she can travel again. 

December 3, 2021

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.                Jeremiah 29:11

Hope is wanting something to happen or a feeling of expectation...

For example, one year when I was little, I wanted a tablet for Christmas. I got a tablet, but that doesn’t mean that everything you hope for will come true.

One year, my great-uncle Foster got sick with cancer. We hoped he would get better, but like I said, not everything you hope for comes true.

Sometimes having hope is like having faith. You have faith that it will happen, but you never really know.

I hope that someday global warming will go away and the earth will heal.  I hope that people without enough money for food and shelter get help.  I hope that there is no more violence or hatred in the world.

Mary had hope because she knew God was always with her. She trusted that God would always care for her and keep her safe. 

But not many people have hope, because they don’t believe in God and that he will keep us safe and always care for us. 

Prayer: Dear God, My hope this Christmas is that more people start believing in you and trusting you.  I hope that people have shelter this Christmas and are safe and healthy.

In your name, we pray, Amen.

Liam Caines is 10 years old and in grade 5. In addition to golfing, curling, biking, and running cross-country, Liam discovered baseball this summer! Liam is also in the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir and plays the piano.

December 2, 2021

Therefore, with alert sober minds, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

                                                                           1 Peter 1:13

Hope is a positive word.  But what does it mean, really?  Hope has different meanings depending on our need and capacity.  Sometimes when in dark situations with no capacity to change our circumstances, hope means wishful thinking.  This is an alternative to despair.  Job experienced this, and we experience it with him.

Hope sometimes is gathered but we try to store it, much like those saving the manna in the wilderness which turned wormy in the morning.  Hope, in this case, is more magical thinking functioning much like superstition.  It is hope, but it is yesterday’s hope.  It is not renewable.

There is another hope.  This hope includes the first two types and then stretches further.  This is Hope as Grace.  This hope is experience as assurance.  It includes but also sees beyond wishful thinking, and magical thinking.  Like Job, we may not see it, but it is still there.  Imagine the experience of Zachariah, John the baptizer’s father.  Silenced when he did not believe God.  His disbelief was not bigger than Grace.  When the time came to name his son John, the formerly silenced Zachariah said, “No, his name is John.”  Remember Simeon, the prophet who blessed Jesus 8 days after birth.  His hope was he would not die before seeing the Messiah.  Imagine that moment when he looked upon the promise of God with his own eyes.  We are sometimes granted that vision, that quiet reassurance God’s grace will do what it has already planned.  

Prayer: Thank you, most Gracious God.   You plant hope in us.  Hope in your promise, hope in your guiding love, hope in your commitment.  Help us to be as committed to these things as you have been to us.  Help us watch that hope lead us to change that sees your plans come to fruition, and thank you for letting us in on the preview.  Amen.

Jeffrey Hosick is a veteran firefighter, a fire department chaplain, a psychotherapist and a pastor.  He is currently serving in an interim ministry in Dartmouth.  

November 30, 2021

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."                                                       Romans 15:13

Hope. Christmas. It does go together, doesn’t it?  Hope is defined as... desire accompanied by expectation, to wish expectantly, to trust. Christmas is a very “hope-ful” time of year: that much-sought-after gift under the tree; good weather to travel; family and friends to share in the festivities; hope for a more peaceful, reflective Christmas, where the rush and chaos make way for time to ponder and wonder at the meaning of this wonderful season. 

I remember one Christmas from my childhood when I hoped to receive a specific present from Santa. Christmas morning came ’round and I was so excited! But ahhh, my hopes were dashed! Although I received other wonderful gifts, that particular toy wasn’t there. How was I to deal with such a thing? I remember not saying anything to anyone, because I realized that I had not included that item in my Christmas letter to Santa. I thought the elves would have told Santa because, weren’t they around, making sure I was being good? They would have heard me sigh about that toy as I looked again and again through the Sears catalogue. I tell you, my hope in the elves diminished significantly! What did I learn from that experience? As a child, I learned that I had put my hope in the wrong people (elves) instead of the right person (Santa). 

Many (many!) years have passed since then. Over time, my hope found its way to God, because over and over in my life, God has proven to be trustworthy. God has shown all of us how to trust Him by sending Jesus to show us the way. That little baby, born in a manger, came to give us hope as He points us to God. Through His promises, His life, death, and resurrection, we have been given the knowledge that we never have to walk our life path alone – we have been given hope for changed lives, new beginnings, and company on our journey. 

Wishing you a very “hope-filled” Christmas! 

Prayer: O God, we praise you because You are our hope. Thank you for walking with us as we embrace Hope during our journey through the Advent season. 

Cynthia Worthen is happily a mother to three and grandmother to four. She’ll be very specific in her letter to Santa this year! 

November 29, 2021

Image by Taylor Wright on Unsplash

 Monday, November 29, 2021

 Life’s a Dance

 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow. 

       Jeremiah 13:30

I have learned to be grateful even when I feel sad and to think positively in the midst of negativity.  When I became a widow with four teenagers, the future looked bleak indeed.  With the encouragement of my friend Shirley Jackson, my proposal of a preschool in Port Williams became a reality.  I loved working with and teaching 3-5 year-olds at Size Small Nursery School and meeting many of the young families in The Port ... for 22 years!

I have learned to hold onto hope when I feel hopeless.  This Spring I felt devastated when told that I had cancer and needed major surgery ASAP.  Eleven days in hospital, at a time when visitors were not allowed, seemed like an eternity.  Home never looked so good as the day I was released, and along Belcher Street the apple blossoms were an encouraging sign that Spring was here.

I have learned to accept love and to appreciate my family and friends who have been my reason to push through 6 months of chemotherapy treatment. I am thankful that the side effects have been minimal and manageable. If all goes according to plan, treatment should be finished by the end of the calendar year. A wonderful reason to celebrate a New Year in 2022!

I listen for the whispering of the angels over the worry and static in my head and I have a new appreciation for the gift of each new day - which is why it is called the present.  So, my friends, live every day to the fullest and dance with joy and be happy.

Prayer:

Dance then, wherever you may be.

I am the Lord of the Dance said He,

And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said He.

Amen

Lorraine Miner grew up on the Gaspe in Quebec. Her first trip to NS was when she came to Acadia University as a teenager. Lorraine has three daughters and one son who are all married now and have given her six beautiful grandchildren.  

December 25, 2020

Christmas Day, December 25, 2020

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 

 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas to each of you!

December 24, 2020

Photo Credit: Don Flowers

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.                 Luke 2:7

It’s Christmas Eve, one of the most magical days of the year.  Individuals and families have waited and worked for this evening throughout the weeks of Advent and the wait is almost over.

 At our house, with our small wooden nativity, we’re still telling the story. Mary, Joseph, and the donkey have finally arrived at the stable in the front hall. The shepherds on the piano have turned to look at the deepening night sky. Baby Jesus, who survived being kidnapped by a child who shall remain nameless, was rescued from the toy box years ago and is safely tucked into the top drawer of the credenza in the hall, waiting to take his place in the manger on Christmas morning. The wise men are watching the stars in the dining room and won’t arrive at the manger until Epiphany.

It’s easy to make this day sentimental rather than holy. Sentimentality makes the sheep too white and wooly, the straw sweet-smelling and cozy, the shaggy donkey friendly and brown. Sentiment focuses on wrapped packages and red ribbons, on white twinkly lights and gushy feelings.

 The real Bethlehem is earthy and more profound. The stable smelled, the travelers were hungry and covered in dust from the road. The dark truth of Christmas is that Jesus was born in a stable “because there was no room for him in the inn.”  Even then, we offered God no room. Today, we barely crack the door open to see the stranger and then continue on with our lives, bolting the doors once again in our fear and worry. But we can offer the world, and ourselves, a different ending.

We no longer have to wait for God’s presence among us. Emmanuel means “God is with us,” born this night in a smelly stable in all the earthy holiness of the world.  The One who brings the light of hope, peace, joy, and love to this world of fear and conflict is “with us” now and forever.

It’s up to us to tell the story.

Prayer: On this night like no other, may we welcome the travelers and strangers among us. May we offer the gifts of understanding and compassion, of healing and comfort, and of peace and justice to those in our midst. May we strive to reflect the light and love of Christmas throughout our world today and every day.

Anita Flowers wishes everyone a very merry and meaning-filled Christmas.

December 23, 2020

Photo Credit: Don Flowers

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.     John 3:16

At this time of year, we are preoccupied with the “present” -the timeframe, not the gift. At Christmas time, the present means being crazy busy, trying to get things done. We also look to the “future”, which is often overwhelming because of the sheer number of things left to do in the future before Christmas. The shopping, the meal prep, making sure the gifts are mailed, making sure we have something for everyone on our list.  Don’t forget the parties (which often seem more like “just one more thing”), the rehearsals, the obligations and the Peace of Christmas- where is that anyway?

During COVID, our family has actually been living more in the “past”, as we have been taking apart almost 70 photo albums from the 1920’s to the 2000’s.  We have sorted, purged and remembered from thousands of photos from a family that is camera obsessed. Many of the highlights involved family Christmas dinners, photos of young children with eyes aglow, plus the usual assortment of family trips and adventures. We have also revisited great grandparents, our parents when they were young, photos taken during wartime and peacetime.

The memories just kept coming, and to our surprise, rather than remembering frustrations with travel planning, cranky children, spilled food, or poor weather, we noticed the recurring presence of love. The smiles, the joy in being together, the faces of loved ones no longer with us, the changes in hairstyles, home decorating and boyfriends. In the “present” we get lost in the details, but when we think more deeply and reflectively, we remember the good times and the love.

Things that, in the “present”, seem insurmountable are set into perspective, and we realize that there is a bigger picture. Christmas is about making memories, and not about getting stuff.

God’s love was sent from heaven to show us the way, and we need to keep that closer to our hearts as we deal with the busyness of the season. We are doing this out of love, first and foremost for the God who showed us love in a humble stable, not in the fanciest restaurant or through the most extravagant gifts. Our children reminded us of this several years ago when we decided against gift giving completely (except for the young children) and made the decision to put our money towards helping those who are struggling.  This has both reduced the craziness, but also given us time and headspace to be present in the best way, and to simply enjoy the love.  That is the true gift of Christmas.

Prayer: (from hymn 227 Voices United)

Loving God,

for the wonders that astound us,

for the truths that still confound us,

most of all that love has found us,

thanks be to God. Amen.

Barbara Rushton is a “not very retired” educator from New Minas. With her husband Bob, she shares two remarkable daughters and the two best grandsons in the world. She loves everything about Christmas.  

December 22, 2020

Photo by Jane Forney

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

“Love is patient, love is kind…” 1 Corinthians 13:1

I am sitting in my office trying to process how to help the last three young clients who have come into my room.  Each one of them has expressed a feeling of emptiness, a feeling of having no emotions and being numb.  This is what the world has become for them. They feel unloved. The media, Covid, rising cases and the threat of shutting down again weighs heavily on their young minds. They are like you and I, struggling to find meaning in this incredibly tumultuous situation in which we find ourselves today.  We are living in unprecedented times and we have no idea what will happen tomorrow.  This is our new reality.

However, it is also a reality that God continues to love us and for all we worry and fret, it does not change things for God. He is eternal. He hears our prayers, and He answers them in His own way, not in the way we think he should answer them. 

If we take the time to listen and hear what God is telling us, we will realize that that we do live in a great world, a kind world, a world that may have lost its way, but that is inherently good.

God loves us and He has not left us. He is reminding us in every day actions, to value the little kindnesses that we see and are a part of.  He reminds us every day, what love actually means and what it looks like. It is not in the giving of the best gift, or the getting of what you wanted. It is not in the winning, or losing. It is not even in the competition to be the best, or have the most. 

Love is in the simple acts of kindness, in which we all partake.  A smile for a stranger, holding the door for a heavy-laden shopper, that quick note to say,” thanks”, even the simple act of having the patience to listen to someone else as they express their fears.  These are the true acts of love that will see the world through these times. 

We now have the chance to be more than we were, more centered on each other, away from the multitude of distractions which have caused us to lose our way. These kind and patient acts are the very things that make us remember that the world is not a bad place; it is a lost place.  It is these acts that remind us the very lessons God shared with us:  Love is patient and love is kind; and God’s greatest commandment, “love one another as he is loving us.”

Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember your most important lessons – to be patient, to be kind, and to love one another.

Davina Melanson has attended Port Williams Baptist church since she and her family moved to Port Williams 12 years ago.  She has worked in the AVRCE since then and is currently serving EMS and Hantsport as a School Counselor.

December 21, 2020

Photo Credit: Dilyara Garifullina on Unsplash.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:7-8

 I have to confess that I once believed that love was like pie.  (Note I didn’t say I don’t love pie, because I do!) I thought love was like pie!  There is just so much.  It is limited.  When it is gone, it is gone.

I knew that I had enough love for Anita.  And I even had enough for Alison—with her blue eyes and her vibrant personality.  But when Anita announced that we were expecting another child, I really wondered, “Will I be able to love this child?  Is there enough love to go around?” It only took one glance at Savannah to let me know there was enough love!  She was cuddly and funny and loving.  And it was enough!

And it was!  We enjoyed life, watching our girls grow up, watching them play in the ocean, coaching their basketball teams, seeing them argue in the National Gallery in London over which painting was the best!  I loved them!  But then….

Alison went and fell in love, and James came into our world.  The evening after their wedding Savannah and I sat on the bed and cried that it would “never be just the four of us.”  I cried because I wondered if there was enough love!

Amazingly, there was!  And there was enough for Jon when Savannah brought him into the family.  And now…..Beau!  (There wasn’t any question that there was enough love for him!)

That may be the most amazing thing about love!  There is always, always, always more and enough.  Maybe it goes back to that Bible verse I first learned, “God is love.”

God’s love isn’t limited.  There is always enough for another, for one more, for me!

Prayer:  God, Thank you for your abounding love.  May we feel it in the depths of our being, and having experienced it, share it will our world.  Just like your gift of love, Jesus.    Amen

Don Flowers is the pastor of Port Williams United Baptist Church. His new favourite name is Grandfather.

December 20, 2020

Photo Credit: Bob Rushton

“Love came down at Christmas

            love all lovely, love divine

Love was born at Christmas …”    Christina Rossetti

Many years ago, when I was attending the Baptist Church in Windsor, one Christmas the choir presented an arrangement of this beautiful hymn. I have always thought the words “Love was born at Christmas” were a wonderful way to refer to the miraculous event when God gave his gift of love to all the world by sending a human version of himself in the person of Jesus, who demonstrated the loving way to live.

Each year during the Christmas season, we see somewhat of a “rebirth” of this love, which God has instilled in each of us, reflected in an increase of expressions of love, kindness, generosity and good will.  Everyone needs love and care - especially the lonely, the discouraged and the ill.  A “love deed” can be as simple as a phone call, a greeting card or even just a smile – each can gladden the heart of the other. 

Mother Teresa reminds us, “Not all of us can do great things but all of us can do small things with great love.”  Expressions of love and kindness, given freely without expectation, can be like a pebble thrown in a pond – the ripples spread far and we may never fully know its impact.

Perhaps a way to observe this Advent season might be, to each day, give someone a “love gift” through an act of kindness.                                                                                                                                                            

“Truly He taught us to love one another;                                                                                                

His law is love and His gospel is peace.” (from “O Holy Night”)                                                     

May we all feel God’s love in abundance this Christmas season and may we “pass it on” all year long!

Prayer: Dear God, enable us to love; open our eyes, ears and hearts to those around us and may we readily respond in ways that reflect your unconditional love.  Amen.

Connie Veinotte is a retired educator, a proud mother and grandmother who enjoys travel and artistic pursuits.

December 19, 2020

Photo Credit: Don Flowers

Let me share a thought from Psalm 104:33-34 (NIV): “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.” 

In the third week of Advent, we focus on the word, “JOY”.  “Joy” is a noun which by definition has two significant meanings: “1. a strong feeling of happiness arising from the expectation of some good, or from its realization; 2. a state of contentment or satisfaction.” 

 When I chose this quote from Psalm 104, I had to ask how does the word “rejoice” relate to the word “JOY”?  Well, by definition “rejoice” is a verb which can mean “1. To feel joyful; 2. To fill with joy.”  I was encouraged further when I read in the next Psalm 105:43 that the Lord “brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy.”  This text neatly relates the two words.

There are many experiences in life that have filled me with a feeling of joy.  For example, as a child I distinctly remember a sense of joy when I recovered consciousness after a serious craniotomy, especially when I found my parents waiting for me when I returned to my hospital room.  As a young husband, joy was one of the feelings that I experienced in my relationship with my wife Sharon, and with the birth and life of our three children.  As a retiree, I value the joy that has been mine to affirm people in their faith journey as followers and servants of Jesus Christ our Lord.

However, the second dimension of JOY, which is listed as a fruit of the Spirit (c.f., Galatians 5:22-23a), has been a quality that I am grateful that the Lord has provided along with the other eight qualities – Love, JOY, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control; therefore, along with the Apostle Paul I pray that you and I may “keep in step with the Spirit” so that others may experience the grace of God and choose to be a follower of Jesus the Christ. 

Prayer: Gracious God, in this Advent Season, I praise you for JOY which gives me contentment and satisfaction.  Pour out your grace so that I may be a vessel to share your JOY in the community where I live.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN                            

Ron Baxter is a senior servant of the Lord.

December 18, 2020

Photo by Clint Patterson on Unsplash

But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!    Luke 2:10

I love Christmas.  I love so much stuff about it. I love it when our elf Snowflake comes, it brings me so much joy. I love seeing all of the fun things she does each day. Sometimes she brings me and my sis a little surprise. We like to leave her pictures and notes, and before she goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, we love to give her a Christmas present. It brings me so much joy to give Snowflake her gift.

When it gets closer to Christmas me, sis, and dad go out to the woods and we cut down a little tree for our room! It is a little tradition that my dad made for us, me and sis love it! There are other traditions I love, but they can’t happen this year, like going to the Nutcracker ballet or the Christmas craft fairs. But even though with all of the stuff that has happened this year, there is still a lot of stuff to look forward to. I’m looking forward to getting our tree, baking cookies, decorating, and watching Christmas movies.

When Christmas comes that’s when I fill up with joy with all merry stuff, but the most merry thing is spending time with my family!

Prayer: Thank you God for all the joys at Christmas, my family and Snowflake. I pray that everyone feels the joy of Christmas.

Sophia Cudmore is 9 years old. She loves dancing and is in her 6th year of ballet. She also loves playing soccer, doing crafts, and spending time with friends and family.

December 17, 2020

Photo by Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.                                John 14:11

 No other season emphasizes the festive fare more than Christmas Time.  You know – the time-honored baking that comes only once a year.  From the parade of spicy fruit cake and mince pie, delicate shortbread and frosted pound cake that would march to the dining room table on the best china of two and three-tier plates; to the delectable past confectionaries of colourful ribbon candy, animal-shaped clear toys, pink chicken bones, and sweet bridge mixture that graced the small crystal bowls and newly-polished silver trays when company came.

In the midst of our own growing up, my brother and I were never in want of life’s necessities, least of all food.  There was never a time of scarcity nor empty plates like our Dad experienced when he emigrated from England with his parents.  A cherished long-ago memory imagines the lumpy stockings that would lay under the tree on those magical mornings.  My brother and I would gather each one, eagerly running upstairs to our parents’ bed.  Everyone took their turn to reveal the unwrapped treasures of perhaps a colouring book, a toy watch, or maybe crayons or lifesavers but always an orange or apple. 

But Dad’s was always left to the end.  His long black wool stocking was the largest - the one he wore in the navy during World War II.  But inside, each item was individually wrapped in shiny holiday paper.  As he slowly tore each apart, the contents would show an onion, carrots, the odd potato, and on occasion a can of brown beans.  The deeper he dug, the more agricultural items burst forth.  Dad’s feigned disgruntlement was always upstaged by our fits of laughter.  Dad had such joy in the role he played; and every year, it remained unchanged.

Whatever their circumstances, children have a tendency to think every child grows up similarly.  It would not dawn on them to think otherwise unless a situation presented itself.  But you see, I have another memory.  I was about eleven. Two days before Christmas, Dad returned home after gifting food.  After overhearing him describe to Mum how the children gathered near their mother as he carried in several boxes of groceries, I can still hear those two words he uttered, “She cried.”

 Joy does wear many masks.

Prayer: Dear God, open our eyes to the joys of Christmas, not only in receiving but in giving.

Corinne Hoebers is retired and lives in Kentville.

December 16, 2020

Photo Credit: Don Flowers

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.                                      Psalm 47:1

Every year, my favourite part of Christmas is the decorations my family puts up for Christmas. We really love to decorate!

The first Sunday in Advent Mommy and Daddy take down all of our Christmas boxes so we can put up our Christmas decorations, our candelabra, and our Christmas lights. I love to set up the lights with Daddy. We usually hope it is not too cold outside because our fingers can get really cold putting the lights in the shrubs and trees. We all help place the candelabra in all of the windows of our house.

I love to set up the Christmas decorations with Mommy. We play Christmas music and transform the house. The reason I love the decorations at Christmas time is because everywhere you look there's some kind of decoration that looks pretty, and they make the house look beautiful, friendly, and welcoming. 

The second Sunday in Advent we go to a Christmas tree farm owned by Mr. Levy. I love to help Daddy cut down Christmas trees. We get about 4 to 5 trees each year. After we are done, we have hot cider with a candy cane in it and we pick out homemade Christmas tree decorations. When we get home, we put the trees in their stands and start to decorate. It takes a long time, but it is a lot of fun.

All of our decorations help to bring joy to our house because they remind us of the Christmas season and the joy that Jesus brought to the world when he was born.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the Joy that Jesus brought to each of us on Christmas. Amen.

 Fiona Schofield is the eight-year-old daughter of Elizabeth Jackson and Scott Schofield. In her spare time, she loves to dance, swim, play hockey, and play the violin. 

December 15, 2020

Photo by Bob Rushton

              “O Come, let us sing to the Lord

               Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation

               Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving

               Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise

               For the Lord is a great God”   Psalm 95:1

In reflecting on Joy, I thought immediately of the birth of my first child, our son Michael, born in Calgary on Dec. 10th, 1960. With our families far away, we were blessed with friends who shared our joy that special Christmas season.

Next, I recalled a book, “Make A Joyful Sound”, the biography of Mabel Hubbard Gardiner. who was born profoundly deaf and lead a sheltered childhood; later she became a student of Alexander Graham Bell, learning his method of making sounds, which enabled speech. Mabel went on, not only to become his wife, but a socially talented inspirational speaker, alert in business matters and founder of the national Home and School Association.

In this Advent season of COVID-19, it is easy to think of all that we cannot enjoy—no church music, no children’s concert, no fellowship times. The Psalm reminds us that the act, or attitude, of giving thanks leads to joy. Let us give thanks for homes, for health, for our families, and especially for Jesus who came to lead us in “the Way” to live with love, compassion, and joy.

Prayer: Holy God, help us this Advent to find ways to celebrate the coming of Jesus, and to live joyfully as we strive to follow in the Way. 

 Carole Buckley is a very much retired physiotherapist and B&B host who is married to Ron, the mother of 4, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 5. She is a happy gardener who enjoys reading.

December 14, 2020

Photo Credit: Heather Rushton

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”  ~Ephesians 4:32

 Something I have noticed over the last few years is how quickly busyness and stress can take over my life. While this is very true in my day-to-day life, I find it to be especially true during the Christmas season, and I don’t think it only affects me. The semester is coming to a close with exams (meaning school stress is at peak level!), and additionally the Christmas craziness has started. Frantic holiday shopping, decorating, and organization of get togethers begins.

 After a while I started wondering, what is missing? Why does it feel like December passes by and I feel like the month has been governed by stress? The more I thought about it, the clearer it became; joy was missing. Or rather, it wasn’t that joy was missing, I just hadn’t taken notice of it. I was rushing through each day and the Advent season, but without seeing the bigger picture as well as recognizing the small joyous moments I had every day.

The time leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ is an exciting time filled with joy and the anticipation of his birth, but joy can also get lost in the busyness of the season. We need to pause and take a second to discover the joy that in reality is surrounding us from all sides! Not only during Christmas time, but throughout the year as well. Joy can be found in the blazing fire that is keeping you warm on a cold night, or in the rays of sunshine that wake you up in the morning. It can be found in the smile of a friend, and especially in the kind gestures of others.

Joy can be found in all our lives, whether big or small, but once you find it make sure to share it with others, like Mary and Josef share their joy with us in the birth of their son Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Prayer: God, help us to discover the joy in our lives that can sometimes get lost in the busyness of life. Help us to share our joy with others just like you share your joy with us.

Helen Opitz is a first-year university Nursing student who currently lives in Wolfville. She is the daughter of Silke and Uli, and the younger sister of Céline. She loves being active, outdoors and is passionate about the environment.