Photo was taken yesterday at Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí (Bantry Community College), West Cork (Irl)
The finishing touches were put to the school Christmas crib yesterday. This year there is a new backdrop picking up on the theme of light, hope, inclusiveness and openness. The crib and backdrop are open to many interpretations but thankfully all are important, relelvant, uplifting and remind us what Christmas is really all about.
On This Day
On Dec 16th 2001 the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 11 years and millions spent to renovate it, without fixing its famous lean
Birthday’s Today
Paul McGinley (Retired Irish Golfer) is 55
Benny Anderson (Singer Songwriter with ABBA) is 75
Bobby George (Darts Legend) is 76
Interesting Quote for Today
“The person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed.” ~Bennett Cerf
Saint For Today: St. Ado of Vienne
Significane of Today: Today is a Day of Reconciliation in South Africa. 1991 marked the ending of apartheid, a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa. The Day of Reconciliation was introduced on Dec 16th 1994 as a way to heal the rift between the people of South Africa, and bring harmony to a nation still suffering from decades of injustice. It continues to be marked each year.
Thought on Thursday – December – 16/12/2021
‘If Christmas isn’t found in your heart you won’t find it under the Christmas tree.’ ~Charlotte Carpenter
Thought on Thursday – December – 16/12/2021
‘If Christmas isn’t found in your heart you won’t find it under the Christmas tree.’ ~Charlotte Carpenter
Christmas is getting so much closer now. Last weekend we lit the 3rd candle on the Advent wreath. The third candle is pink and it is meant to stand out. The third Sunday of Advent is called ‘Joyful Sunday’. In many churches the emphasis today will be putting an emphasis on good news. It is a day to celebrate good news stories in our community and in our lives.
Today no apologies are made for highlighting our good news stories. It is crucial and important that we do. We have a natural tendency to lean towards negative and sad stories. Covid has meant that we have been leaning constantly towards a lot of bad news.
We all need to hear good news, we need to nurture good news and importantly we need to celebrate good news. We need to bring the balance back in. That is why ‘Joyful Sunday’ is one of those days to at least try and put the spotlight on some good news. These good news stories are plentiful but they often get squashed and pushed to one side. These good news stories do not have to make the headlines. It is often the small and insignificant good news stories that really are the best of all.
Christmas can be many different things to people with lots of spiritual significance. Christmas can be rightly called a ‘Celebration of Good News’ but especially of your good news. The message of ‘Joyful Sunday’ is that of course you are special and always worth celebrating. If we can’t do that, then there is no point having Christmas. Christmas celebrates you. You are special and always will be.
