Photo was taken by Inspired Images from Pixabay
Robins have always been associated with Christmas and in particular with snow scenes. Their colour and beauty always stands out.
At this stage you will have noticed new changes to the website. There has been such positive feedback. Your own feedback is welcome too. Regular viewers have seen some big changes and new viewers are also pleased with the new layout. The website was working on outdated software and it needed an upgrade and facelift to bring it up to the technology of 2022/23.
On This Day
On November 30th 1872 the first international soccer game took place between Scotland and England in Glasgow and it finished 0-0
On November 30th 1979 Pink Floyd released their album “The Wall” and it sold 6 million copies in two weeks.
Birthdays Today
Lisa and Leona Maguire (Famous golfing twin sisters) are 28
Gary Lineker (Ex footballer and TV presenter with BBC) is 62
Billy Idol (Musician and singr) is 67
Phil Babb (Former Irish Footballer) is 52
Saint For Today
The Saint for November 30th is Saint Andrew. He was the first disciple of Jesus, he later travelled through much of the world as a missionary, he the patron saint of fishermen, fishmongers and singers. He is also the Patron Saint of Scotland
Significance Of Today
Today is Saint Andrews Day in Scotland and is a public holiday there.
Interesting Quote For Today
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” ~Mother Teresa
Did You Know
Did you know that the Vatican City is actually the smallest country in the world at only 0.2 miles wide. (.3km)
Thought For The Week
You know that feeling of waiting for something or someone? It is a feeling of excitement or maybe anxiety. Waiting is not always seen as a good thing but it can be a time for growth. And so we enter into the season of waiting: Advent. ~Jane Mellett
The Late Late Toy Show was another huge success again last Friday with the Wizard of Oz theme. From the beautiful colourful opening piece and all the way through, the show was enjoyed by so many children and families. It is always one of the first indicators that Christmas is fast approaching. This week also marks the beginning of our journey through Advent and the spiritual countdown to Christmas. For many though it’s a word that doesn’t connect or has little to offer our daily journey.
Advent can be seen as a forced season upon us, to get us excited about the coming of Christmas. But there is nothing forced with Advent and its intention is to always remind us what Christmas is about. Its intention is to remind us that God is near us and in our midst. Advent reminds us that God is present in love, kindness, sharing, friendship and our support of each other.
But like anytime of the year, the weeks coming up to Christmas are especially busy. Busyness dulls our sense of God all around us, especially when it comes to love, kindness and so many other blessings that are important to us. Advent is a journey that priorities time for ourselves and gives us time to ask what the message of Christmas can mean for us.
I recently read a lovely piece of advice on our approach to Christmas. The writer suggested that for Advent, put aside an A4 sheet or a sheet with lines on it. Each line represents one day. On our journey through Advent we are invited to write just two things that we would like to give thanks for. Maybe it was something that happened during that day, maybe it was a gesture of kindness, maybe it was someone in your family or a stranger or maybe it was for the lovely sunrise or a sunset.
As only a few words will fit on each line, it is not going to take long. If we can then look at this sheet on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, our experience of Christmas will be completely different. Because in all that you have written down, it is there that you have found God present.
The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
