December 19, 2013

There is a baby on my knee as I write today.  His Mom and sister are in the food bank line.  He is quite interested in the pictures on the computer screen, and in the movement of my fingers as I type with one hand.  We are deep in conversation — he grunts and gurgles and smiles.  I tell him important things, like how lovely he is, how bright he is, and what a joy he is.

i am reading to him the words that go with the picture:

Lift up your eyes and see: who created these…Isaiah 40:26a

Here’s the photo of the box:

The earth looks up to the heavens. Smiling.  All of us, created in the image of God.  All of us on this planet.  The family who created the box who tell a story of surviving cancer.  The little child on my lap with all kinds of tags for ‘syndromes’.  The folks serving at food bank, the people in the receiving line.  The people whose names we know.  The strangers that we meet, and those whose names and faces we will never encounter.  All around this planet.  Every one of us.  Made in the image of God.  Made to know that we are loved.  Made to know that we can love.

It is the season on true joy.

 

December 11, 2013

There is a regular Food Bank at the church, and it always brings around lots of hungry people. There are hungry people in the Transcona community, and we are not alone.  There are hungry people around every corner, they are our neighbours, our friends, ourselves.  It is an age old problem, some have too little, others have too much.  It is an age old song that is quoted in the Advent Box today:  God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.  Luke 1:53. 

The age old song of hope is for justice and peace, for food and shelter, for love and grace for all.  The dream comes around day after day, moment after moment.  And because we believe that the world might be welcoming for all we keep on singing.  

My soul magnifies the Lord.

Joy to the World.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

God has filled the hungry with good things!