Sunday, 23 Dec-07. 4th of Advent again.

For some time now I have been having correspondence with an Anglican monastic Community down in north England. I am now recognised officially as a Probationer Companion of the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, West Yorkshire. My spiritual guide there and I use e-mail and websites to communicate with each other on this my further, spiritual journey. It's a laugh in that I wonder how monks of old would have thought of the new technology in their daily lives! Nonetheless, after years and years of professional discipline of seeing folk in psychoanalysis on the hour, every hour throughout the day and early evening I found that my prayer life had diminished - I had become too tired as I gave 'all' to my 'faithful' people. So, the monastic discipline of returning to the Daily Offices and a structured prayer life has become invaluable. Interestingly also, since 'retirement' ( I am still seeing a few folk professionally at home ) my work as Secretary to the Vestry at my church has become extremely busy, so linking with CR Mirfield has become so important in maintaining that balance of life.

Sunday, 23 Dec-07. Fourth Sunday of Advent

'O Little town of Bethlehem...' This lovely carol depicts a scene which supposedly has not changed since that night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. However, the reality is that all is not what it seems. Very few Christians remain in Bethlehem and visitors cannot enter it due to the Israeli Occupying Army, backed by the USA. The last time a friend tried to visit this holy place she was sharply butted out of the way by the rifle of a soldier from Israel who probably was a Jew with no sympathy for the Christian visitors. She remonstrated with the young Israeli for his harshness and the fact that he had hurt her but he simply ignored her and went on to rifle butt other 'infidels' out of the way. They were all ordered to back off and go away - from Bethlehem! Well, because of the attitude of Israel I would never visit the Holy Land - leave it to the occupying forces I say.
The isolation of Israel would do much to bring it to its knees economically, but that won't happen as the USA must pour millions of their dollars into the Israeli economy each week in order that Bush can keep the Jewish vote in the USA and so keep him in office and at war with countries. If the USA, in its forthcoming new Administration were to stop shoring up Israel then perhaps we would all have a chance of peace in the Holy Land and a Palestinian State. Then also perhaps Christians and Muslims will return to live there side by side as they have always done.

Joseph and Mary were of course, homeless refugees on the Eve of the Nativity ( 'I was homeless and you took me in') until that kind laddie the Inn Keeper allowed them to use his stable. Glasgow is full of homeless people, and refugee camps throughout the Middle Eastern countries are full of Palestinians fleeing the brutal Israeli forces who punish whole populations for the terrorism of a few extremists ( it's all very OT - as well as OTT ). Then there are those here in Glasgow - friends, who cannot cope with Christmas at all They are depressed, crying, feeling homeless and hopeless; lost souls.

Pray for homeless folk everywhere, that they find hope and a Christian sense of being 'home', of feeling worthy, of feeling loved and cared for. Amen.