#AdventWord #Celebrate #慶祝

「你可能認為，要忽略真正的好消息很難。」我的意思是，誰會錯過慶祝的機會?但是，我們卻錯過這個福音，12月25日的福音。
讓我們今年別錯過了。不論你怎麼看它，上帝來到這世上，不為別的，只為了愛。當你思考這件事時，你會知道，愛是好得無比的好消息，一個值得我們花時間來慶祝的好消息。

You would think that it would be hard to overlook really good news.  I mean, who would miss a chance to celebrate?  But, too often, we miss the good news, the real good news, of December 25.
But let’s not do that this year.  Because no matter how you look at it, God coming into the world for no other reason but love is, when you think about it, incredibly good news—news that is worth making the time to #Celebrate.

St. Mary’s Church, Holy Island.  All around is darkness, but the church door is open, don’t miss it.  Don’t miss the chance to celebrate.  Don’t miss the real good news of December 25.

Today is Christmas Day, and the final post for Advent Word 2018 ~ hope you’ve enjoyed them.  Let’s celebrate ~ have a wonderful Christmas!

#AdventWord #Peace #平安

如同復臨節的人們，我們要等候，慢下腳步，除去使我們分心的事物並且尋找上帝應允我們的平安，直到伯利恆統治者的再來。安靜並接納平安的禮物，愛的果實，它就在你的內心裡而不在你的作為裡。記住，耶穌是一切平安的來源。

As Advent people, we are to wait, slow down, free ourselves from distractions and search for the peace that God has promised us through the coming of the ruler from Bethlehem. Be still and allow the gift of peace, the fruit of love, to be found within your being rather than in your doing. Remember that Jesus is the source of all peace.

A cross in the Holy Island churchyard against the wall of the priory ruins.

It’s Christmas Eve: wishing you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

#AdventWord #Persist #堅持

復臨節的季節幾乎快到最高潮時節。它是一段漫長的旅程，尤其對瑪麗亞和約瑟來說。他們親身體驗到堅持的意義，一直堅持直到應許的事物被成就。也許抄捷徑會是誘人的–「我們就在家裡獻祭吧。」但上帝不希望我們抄捷徑。上帝呼召我們，不是要我們選擇容易的道路。上帝要的是一群願意堅持旅途的人民，願意做足準備真實接納基督到我們的心裡和生活裡。

The season of Advent has almost reached its climax. It has been a journey, certainly for Mary and Joseph. They experienced first hand what it meant to persist, to keep going until all that was promised was fulfilled. It might have been tempting to take a shortcut–“Let’s just make an offering or a sacrifice and stay home.” But God does not want shortcuts. God does not call us to take the easy way. What God does require is a people who persist on the journey, who make all the necessary preparations to truly receive the Christ child in our hearts and our lives.

Along the Holy Island seashore when the tide is out, it’s fun to search the rocks and rockpools for fish or whatever marine life can be found.  The tiny shells are barnacles, while the big conical ones are limpets, officially aquatic snails.  Limpets cling tight to the rock crevices when the tide is out, but when covered in water, off they slide to graze on algae.  For us to try to prise them off the rocks at low tide is virtually impossible without damaging them.  They cling tenaciously, stubbornly resisting whatever might try to remove them.  Even the strongest men and women are no match for limpets.  Persistance, indeed, and a challenge to us in our journey of faith.

#AdventWord #Expect #期待

我們每天被廣告衝擊著，以明顯的訊息告訴我們，我們應當在人生中期待些甚麼—更多，更好，更大的事情。然而，如果我們接收到的訊息促使我們不是期待我們可能會得到的事物，而是期待我們可能會給予的事物呢?當瑪麗亞被上帝邀請成為歷史上最有名的未婚青少年媽媽時，她沒有問:「我可以從這樣的安排中得到甚麼?」沒有，她說:「我在這裡。我是主的使女，情願照你的話成就在我身上。」(路加福音第一章38節) 瑪麗亞並沒有思考她期待接受到甚麼東西。她僅只奉獻她的生命，活生生的犧牲，獻給那位呼召她的神。你在復臨節時期「期待」甚麼呢?

We are pummeled daily by advertisements that, in not so hidden messages, tell us what we should “expect” out of life–more, better, bigger things.

What if, however, the messages we received prompted us to expect not what we might get, but what we might give?  When, invited by God to become the most famous unmarried teenage expectant mother in history, Mary did not ask “What do I get out of this arrangement?” No, she said, “here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)  Mary did not think about what she could expect to receive.  She simply gave her life, a living sacrifice, to the God who called her.  What do you “expect” this Advent season?

See all these people? They’ve just arrived on Holy Island and are walking from the car park into the village.  A steady stream, but in summer this path is choc-a-block with visitors.  Everyone comes with a sense of expectancy, looking forward to a day out on Holy Island – perhaps a visit to the priory or castle, coffee or lunch at one of the cafes, a walk on the beach or up to the hill, a bit of shopping, and a visit to the church.  Many pilgrims and visitors have found that their faith has been awakened, refreshed or renewed by their visit, and they return home keen to share their experiences with others.

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God” (William Carey)

#AdventWord #Sign #符號

許多我們所遇見的符號都是潛在危險的凶兆。他們是要提醒我們保護自己。注意落石，注意癌症的徵兆，回頭以免溺斃。但在復臨節，我們遇見的是即將來臨的可能性預兆。他們帶來寬宥，祝福以及愛。留心愛。要知道愛的預警。轉身並接受愛。如同詩人克莉絲汀娜.羅賽提所言:「愛是我們的替身…是祈求，禮物以及符號的愛。」

Many of the signs we encounter are portents of potential danger. They are intended to keep us safe. Watch for falling rocks. Know the warning signs of cancer. Turn around don’t drown. But in Advent, the signs we encounter are portents of impending possibility. They offer us forgiveness, blessing, love. Watch for love. Know the warning signs of love. Turn around and accept love. As poet Christina Rossetti says, “Love shall be our token . . . Love for plea and gift and sign.”

Signpost in Holy Island village.  Choose the way you want to go.  Choose the way you want to live.  Think of all the major decisions that have been made on Holy Island since the beginning of time, decisions to come, to leave, to flee, to return, to build, to create, to establish, to settle, to pray, to worship, to love.  Christmas is coming, let us choose the way of love.

#AdventWord #Ablaze #燃燒

約翰宣讀耶穌將用聖靈與火來施洗的訊息。這些話語激發五旬節如火一般舌頭的意象，當聖靈降臨在耶穌的跟隨者之中，激勵著他們把福音的訊息帶給這世界。什麼會激發你火熱的心?你如何因著基督的福音而被燃燒?你將如何傳遞愛給世界?你受浸的火又在哪裡?

John proclaims the message that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. These words evoke images of the Pentecostal tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit descends upon the followers of Jesus, inspiring them and sending the gospel message into the world. What sets your heart on fire? How are you ablaze with the good news of Jesus? How are you spreading love in the world? Where is the fire in your baptism?

Sunrise on Holy Island, taken at the Lindisfarne Priory ruins, with the castle in the background.  In the top left, a distant aeroplane flies overhead.  In the same year that Aidan came to Holy Island to establish his monastery, 635, so the first recorded Christian missionaries reached China.  Those early travelers took the Gospel on foot and on horseback, taking months to travel distances we can now fly to in a matter of hours.  The power of fire, whether in our engines or in our hearts, has changed the world.  Long may it continue.  Set our hearts ablaze today, O Lord, for you!

#AdventWord #Wash #洗淨

在路加福音裡，約翰告訴我們:「我是用水給你們施洗，但有一位能力比我更大的要來…」在復臨節，我們用水清潔並預備我們的家迎接家人和朋友，以一起慶祝基督的再來。願每一次的洗淨，清潔和沖洗都提醒我們受浸的意義，並再次預備我們的心，接待基督進入我們的家，我們的心並進入我們的世界。

In Luke, John tells us, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming…” In Advent, we use water to clean and prepare our homes to welcome family and friends as we celebrate the coming of Christ together. May each act of washing, cleaning, and rinsing remind us of our baptisms and prepare our hearts once again to receive Christ into our homes, our hearts, and into our world.

Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island has just reopened after an 18-month, £3m, restoration project to repair the castle from long-term water damage to the walls and roof.  During the restoration, 17th century wall paintings were uncovered in the old kitchen and one of the bedrooms; dating from the time when the castle was a military base.  “An exciting and rare find” says the National Trust, “suggesting that there might have been more to life at the castle than just a military base”.

Washing implies cleaning, cleansing and refreshing.  Advent is a chance for us all to undertake a mini-restoration project on our own hearts and lives.  We never know what treasures we might unearth in the process!

#AdventWord #Ancestor #先人

向前看，帶著喜悅的心向前看。在充滿暴風的時代，在基督裡尋找你們生命之樹的根。永遠紮根於上帝永不止息愛的翠綠土壤中。汲取那些所有曾經並在這一刻滋養我們，並應允我們隨救贖而來所開展的恩典。

Look ahead, look ahead with joy. In the stormy winds of time, find your roots in Christ our tree of life; eternally held in the verdant soil of God’s unending Love, drawing in all that ever was, nurturing us in this moment, and promising the outstretched grace of our salvation.

When Aidan established the first monastery on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in 635, he started with 12 young monks. These monks, and their successors, would go on to travel extensively throughout England preaching, teaching and setting up churches.  Most famous are St. Chad, St. Cedd, and St. Wilfrid.  Aidan, and his successor, Cuthbert were responsible for the establishment of numerous monasteries and churches throughout northern England and southern Scotland. Cuthbert was regarded by many as a saint, with many coming to seek advice, prayer and miracles. In 875, violent attacks by marauding Vikings forced the monks of Lindisfarne to flee, taking Cuthbert’s body (which, on opening up his coffin was discovered to be uncorrupted) with them. They found refuge in Chester-le-Street, and in 995 finally settled in Durham, where Cuthbert’s shrine became part of what is now Durham Cathedral.

This sculpture, in St. Mary’s Church, Holy Island, titled ‘The Journey’ by Fenwick Lawson, shows 6 monks carrying Cuthbert’s body, as they flee Holy Island. He writes, ‘The Lindisfarne community, with the uncorrupted body of Cuthbert, their saint, founded Durham as refugees. With this significance in mind, and some nerve, considering ‘The Burghers of Calais’ by Auguste Rodin, I saw this epic journey as a great theme for a sculpture: a journey of faith, a journey of hope, and a journey of love for fellow man; a brotherhood forged by the necessity of co-operative effort.’

These early saints are our spiritual ancestors in the Christian faith.  Though their roots were in Holy Island, in fact their roots stretched down much deeper, into Christ himself as the tree of life.  Many faced the ‘stormy winds of time’ and were forced to flee.  Persecution forced Joseph, Mary and the Christ child to flee too.  We treasure our history, our holy places and our traditions, but our faith is a journey, and we are challenged to look ahead.  Look ahead with joy!

#AdventWord #Sing #歌唱

當我們朝著管理人走去，我們帶著愉悅歌唱著。歌曲雖古老，由天上的主人歌頌著並由牧羊人重複唱著，當他們千里跋涉去會見基督孩兒。榮耀歸給至高神。喔，讓我們敬拜祂。歌曲乘載著歷年信徒的希望。那是期待與期望之歌，也是歡樂與驚喜之歌。有時候只要打開我們的心和口來歌頌，就可以回應這福音以及這節慶的喜悅。唱出聖誕歌曲的希望以及因愛而生的英勇事蹟的感恩，上帝自己的兒子所帶來的禮物。

As we move toward the manger, we sing with great gladness. The song is ancient, sung by the heavenly host and repeated by the shepherds as they traveled to see the Christ child. Glory to God in the highest. O come let us adore Him. The song carries the weight of the hope of believers through the ages. It is a song of expectation, of anticipation, of joy and wonder. Sometimes our only response to the good news and great joy of this season is to open our hearts and our lips and sing. Sing the carol of hope and thanksgiving for a heroic act of love, God’s gift of God’s own son.

Looking at the ruins of Holy Island’s Benedictine Priory (1120-1537), it is not impossible to imagine the monks going about their daily lives.  There would have been a routine of worship, work and rest, and much of their daily lives may have been lived in silence.  But not all.  Singing has been part of Christian liturgy since early times, and Gregorian chant may well have been part of the style of worship.  Very evocative, the song is ancient indeed.  Let us add our voices to that song this Christmas as we sing, Glory to God in the highest, O come let us adore Him.

#AdventWord #Rejoice #喜樂

常常以神喜樂!我要再說—喜樂!甚麼?當國家在爭戰或瀕臨戰爭時，要喜樂?當天然災害毀壞家園，森林和都市時，要喜樂?當政治衍生懼怕和令人質疑的真實時，要喜樂?是的，要喜樂。當我們擁有生命，希望和愛時，要喜樂。當我們可以說話，投票，擁抱，原諒，微笑，抗議，和產生改變時，要喜樂。因為在神一切都是可能的，所以要喜樂。我們可以分享復臨節的訊息，所以要喜樂—愛就在路上。

Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say–Rejoice!
WHAT??????
Rejoice when nations are at war or on the brink of war? Rejoice when natural disasters destroy homes and forests and cities? Rejoice when politics breeds fear and truth is questioned?
Yes–Rejoice!
Rejoice that we have LIFE and HOPE and LOVE. Rejoice that we can speak and vote and embrace and forgive and protest and make change. Rejoice that with God all things are possible. Rejoice that we can share the message of Advent–Love is on the way!

One of the amazing Holy Island sights to see at dusk in late autumn is starling murmurations, as huge flocks of thousands fly together in a swirling, twirling, whirling mass before they settle down to roost for the night.  One of the sights to see during the day is smaller flocks of starlings disturbed from a bush on approach – there’s a huge explosion of noise and a massive rush of air as they all take off together, taking the onlooker totally by surprise.  Those bushes are often hawthorn, and at this time of year are covered in red berries – haws, delicious food for starlings.  Many of these starlings have migrated from Scandinavia to Holy Island for the winter, looking for food and a milder climate.  Imagine their delight when they come upon hawthorn trees like these, covered from top to bottom in juicy red berries. It’s like nature has put up a big ‘Welcome to Holy Island’ sign for migrating starlings.  Rejoicing starlings indeed.

‘Rejoice that we have LIFE and HOPE and LOVE’.  And may we be as willing to share that life, hope and love with those who migrate into our lives, our communities and our countries this Christmas time and beyond.