This photo was taken by my nephew Daniel McSweeney yesterday morning in Rosscarbery, West Cork. The skyline as dawn yesterday had a most beautiful red glow. It was one of those super special glows that was seen near and far. Daniel captured the photo beautifully and of course the swans also add to the beauty as well.
As we head towards the winter solstice next Saturday we know how scarce and precious light is at this time of year. Any sunrise or sunset is always so beautiful coming up to Christmas.
Video for the week🎥
Santa makes many headlines coming up to Christmas. But who is the real Santa?
We are beginning the second week of Advent and so this Advent video is most appropriate. Each year I make a wreath using bike tyres and it’s simply called ‘A ‘wheelie’ different Advent Wreath’
The video below is a recent video and it is called ‘One Snow Story’. An unexpected snowfall made sure I got out and about, to create the story with a few reflective thoughts. If you would like to see a selection of my other videos on Youtube you can click this link here. https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMcSweeneyFr/videos
Spiritual Thought For The Week
‘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. At the weekend we light 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. Bad news somehow seems to have quicker legs than good news.Bad news always dominates the headlines.
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 but it’s the spiritual significance that touches our hearts. Christmas can be rightly called a ‘Celebration of Good News’ but especially of your good news. The message of ‘Joyful Sunday’ is that 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.
