Photo was taken in Co.Rosscommon (Irl)from the Irish Independent

There were lots of pictures circulating yesterday re the flooding after Storm Desmond. The picture I have up today speaks so much louder than any words. The picture doesn’t say where he is going, or where he is coming from. Is he returning home? or perhaps heading to his farm? The picture speaks of sadness, isolation and helplessness but also determination, courage and hope.

Thought on Thursday – December – 10/12/2015

“Believe in love. Believe in magic. Believe in Santa. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don’t, who will?” ~Jon Bon Jovi

When you hear the first Christmas song on the radio you really know Christmas is getting close! To be fair to radio stations, they may run with early Christmas advertising but they do hold off on the Christmas songs until early December. The build up to Christmas is something we really like and look forward to or something we struggle through. Last Sunday (Dec 6th) was the feast of St Nicholas. I am surprised at how this day comes and goes and little is made of it. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the wonderworker. He came from a wealthy family and decided to share all his money with the poor. He always did so quietly and without fuss. He would drop some gold coins down the chimney of those who were really poor. People wondered who the generous donor was. One day someone found out it was Nicholas. His name and fame began to spread to many countries and so Santa Claus as we know him today came into being.

We give gifts at Christmas because we know deep within that it’s good to express our love for those who are special and important to us. Thanks to Nicholas, Santa is alive and well. Our world would be such a darker place without his inspiring presence. There is already enough darkness, hatred, bitterness, and division across our world today. It craves for light, hope and stability. There is no greater joy than that which comes with giving and sharing. St Nicholas led the way by example. Little did he know how popular he would become or how he would get completely wrapped around the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus. Today we ask his special blessings on each of us. We pray too that the spirit of Christmas and the gift of sharing will make a real difference in the coming weeks.