Whispers of His Power – Amy Carmichael [Note: each year I aim to post a Daily Blog of quotes from faithful Christians to help encourage us on our journey. In previous year these have been compendiums of mostly Victorian Christians. During 2026 I aim to publish daily reflections on Scripture from Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur.[i] A missionary from… Continue reading Whispers of His Power – Introduction
For this Christmas, for our Last Christmas, and especially for that final Christmas when we will sing in tune with heaven.
We live because Christ was born amongst us.
We can depart in peace because Christ came to live among us.
The angel announces a saviour, a way of salvation, that transcends the old laws of punishment and revenge replacing it with the gentle healing touch from the hand of a baby.
Jesu is the ointment for our healing, the salve for our souls.
These are the signs of the season…
Eyes and ears are opened.
Limpers and Lepers are welcomed.
Those who seem dead to our common life are born again.
Good News is shared with those who never thought they could afford or were worthy of it.
..and we are the ones who have been called to do this.
In the end it’s not about ‘wars and rumours of war’ nor is it about ‘one person being taken and the other left’. It is about keeping our eyes on Jesus.
It is about living Advent lives, watching and waiting and working for the Return of the King.
We have a King who forgives – we are called to be a people who forgive.
We have a King who saves – we are called to be a people who offer salvation.
We have a King who is innocent – we are called to be a people who, even imperfectly…aim to live lives of purity.
We have a King who remembers – we are called to be a people who will not leave anyone out of the arms of love stretched out on the Cross.
Sainthood for Dummies!
To be a saint is the everyday task of the Christian. However tradition dictates that we can only become saints once we have died. Learning to die is the key to learning to live.
Mary of Bethany on the other hand, though of a poor background, living at home with her brother and sister, maligned by those around her, rejected by others because she was not married and criticised by her sister because she wanted to spend time with Jesus, is the one who in our story today shows by her generosity true nobility. A humble nobility to which all of us wealthy or hard-pressed, Well-educated or not able to complete schooling may aspire.
The parable of the Rich Fool, and in fact the whole of Luke Chapter 12, is not about money, nor about bread, nor even about barns. It is about being, ‘rich towards God’ and so proving the faithfulness and loving kindness of God by living generous lives of active service. And being ever-ready to do so….
…having had the demoniac run towards him Jesus now sends him away with a new mission. No longer is he to be the one of whom his friends and family are frightened and perhaps even ashamed, but instead he is to:
‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you’.
Suffolk Vicar 