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MOST RECENT POSTS

In this column you will find the most recent posts unless you have selected a specific poem, meditation or collection/index in which case that single item will appear here.

INDEX of CAROLS & OTHER CHRISTMAS, ADVENT & EPIPHANY MATERIAL: Titles, brief introductory comments and links to words and tunes



Carols and Advent/Christmas hymns titled in red for easy reference

Children’s/ All-Age activities marked with asterisks ****

ADVENT by Margaret Bowdler Click Here

ADVENT CATHEDRAL Click HERE
A beautiful and fitting start to Advent in the mighty Cathedral at Ely

ADVENT:  WAITING, STILLNESS, SILENCE  by Trevor Thorn Click HERE: Three verse poem of preparation.

****ALL AGE FUN ACTIVITY FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD Click here
A simple singing and counting activity with minimal props partly provided in the post itself

AT BETHLEHEM IN BORROWED CATTLE STALL (CAROL) (Click here):
 A carol based on the beautiful French folksong Plaisir D'Amour with a fanfare chorus based on the magnificent  Isaiah prophecy "Wonderful, Counsellor... "

****AN ANGEL TOLD SHEPHERDS WITH GREAT, GREAT JOY (CAROL) (Click here)

A simple-to- learn children's carol which tells of the birth of Jesus and the Salvation story

BEFORE THE CREATION, THE WORD WAS WITH GOD (HYMN) (Click Here)

A sung version of The Christmas Gospel (John 1. 1 - 15). Sing it  to the tune 'To God be The Glory'

BE STILL, SMALL EARTH (aka CAROL OF THE COSMOS) (Click Here),
This carol celebrates the cosmic disturbances that marked the birth of Jesus. It is written to be sung to the hymn tune from Finlandia (Please observe the copyright note printed with this carol).

BETHLEHEM EMBATTLED Click Here 
A poem reflecting the sadness of modern-day Bethlehem.

CAROL OF THE GOOD NEWS Click Here
A Carol celebrating the Shepherds as the first evangelists

CHRISTINGLE - 4 Suggestions Click Here

Four ideas to make your Christingle even more special. (All tried and tested)

CHRISTMAS PLACE MAT
Features a CLIMERICK to prompt discussion about our response to Climate concerns around  one of the Festive mealtimes. CLICK HERE

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVALSCLICK HERE
Create a cardboard tree and cover it with pieces of red, green and gold scrap paper. Then go to the CLIMERICKS site to find seasonal rhymes to raise the questions of our care/ stewardship for the only planet we know to have been visited by Jesus.

CLOSING THE FOLIO OF THE YEAR
A meditation on the emotions of the closing year CLICK HERE

DEEPEST HUMILITY Click Here
Poem with the possibility of being turned into a Carol 

GIFTS OF THE MAGI: THREE SONNETS. CLICK HERE
Reflections on the way in which the gifts of the Magi may have been of practical use imagined through the eyes of one of the Magi, of Joseph and of the Angel.

GO TO NAZARETH MY GREAT MESSENGER (CAROL) Click Here Imagines God instructing His Angels from The Annunciation to the warning to Joseph to flee with his new family 
to Egypt. Lively dance-style tune.

GRACIOUS GOD DRAW ME CLOSER Click HERE
Meditation/ Prayer from Creation to Salvation in Jesus

I REMEMBER, OH HOW I REMEMBER (Shepherds' Message) CLICK HERE
The Shepherds are excited and just have to tell their story: thus becoming the first evangelists.

MEDITATION ON APPROACHING THE MANGER: A challenge to each one of us Click HERE

MYSTERIOUS VISITOR Click here
Come Jesus, come now again,...

O CHRISTMAS TREE WITH ANGEL THRONG Click HERE
Celebration of the Angels’ appearance to the shepherds

OVER PLAINS OF ARABIA ONE CRYSTAL NIGHT (STAR OF JUBILEE) Click HereStory of the Star sung to the Shaker Tune used for Sidney Carter’s 'Lord of the Dance’

****PASS THE (EMPTY) PARCEL Click Here
A simple twist to a favourite game leading to messages of Justice and Love

PRAISE THE CREATOR GOD Click Here
Hills of The North Rejoice reframed to start with creation and build to the crescendo of Advent

**** SHEPHERDS TALE (Click Here)

An INTERACTIVE way of telling the story of the shepherds that involves EVERY (mobile) member of your fellowship/ congregation. With complete script.

SHEPHERDS AND WOMEN UNHEEDED: A short poem  for both Christmas and Easter that celebrates God’s choice of the first evangelists of the two great events of Jesus’ life. CLICK HERE

STABLE TALK (CAROL) - See below ‘This Manger’s Well Made’

A new carol that gives Joseph a ‘voice’ in the stable as he imagines the future for his new-born son

STARS AND PLANETS SING YOUR GLORY  (HYMN) (Click here).
This hymn of praise, (can be sung ‘Lux Eoi’ (preferred tune) or to the Beethoven tune used for 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee’ or another 8.8.8.8 tune) is suitable as a Christmas hymn but can also be used at other times to celebrate Christ as the Lord of the entire cosmos.

STAR OF BETHLEHEM (Click Here)

A short poem reflecting on what might/ might not have been the nature of the Nativity Star


STAR OF HIGH HEAVEN by John B Hobbs (Click Here)
Children’s Carol for the Epiphany to the Low German Folk tune
Dat Du min leefste büst'


THE CHRIST CHILD: ETERNITY IS BLESSED (Click Here)
Meditation for Christmas

THE CRIB & THE COSMOS (Click Here)

Meditation for Christmas

THIS MANGER'S WELL MADE (Stable Talk) (Click HERE)
A new carol that gives Joseph a ‘voice’ in the stable as he imagines the future for his new-born son

THE WITNESS OF THE SHEPHERDS (Click Here)
The Shepherds as the first witnesses to the coming of the Messiah

VIVID WINTER'S MORN (CAROL) (Click here)
This carol is intended to be played and sung in rock style

WOOD AND NAILS (Click Here)
Reflection on the beauty of the child Jesus - and his ongoing life and death

**** WISE MEN'S TALE (Click Here)

An INTERACTIVE way of telling the story of the wise men that involves EVERY (mobile) member of your fellowship/ congregation With complete script.


Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos

Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos
Wildfires: Evidence of Climate Chaos

Cascade of Stars and Gas (Imagined image: CGI)

Cascade of Stars and Gas (Imagined image: CGI)
Cascade of Stars and Gases. This image will take you to the meditation 'Deep Silence'

Butterfly Nebula (CGI)

Butterfly Nebula (CGI)
The Imaginary Butterfly Nebula . Anything like this would be a real Curiosity! The image will link you to the reflection titled 'Curiosity' which is actually a celebration of the achievement of landing the Mars Rover of that name

Ten thousand billion suns - A scintilla of God’s Universe

Ten thousand billion suns - A scintilla of God’s Universe
It is currently thought that the Universe has at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars! Hence the use of the word ‘scintilla’ for a mere ten thousand billion.

Cross and Particle Accelerator (CGI)

Cross and Particle Accelerator (CGI)
Cross and Particle Accelerator. The words of 'A Prayer for Understanding' can be viewed by clicking on this image

Nebula (Embroidery)

Nebula (Embroidery)
Nebula (Embroidery) to accompany the poem 'Invitation' which can be found by clicking on the image.

Nativity Star (CGI)

Nativity Star (CGI)
Nativity Star: This image will link you to the collection of new Carols on this site. Also, the image can easily be copied onto an overhead acetate and used as a window decoration. Easy for children to achieve. Note the cross at the centre of the star.

Orange Galaxy

Orange Galaxy
'Orange Galaxy' posted to accompany 'Bounded and Boundless'. Go to the poem by clicking on the image.

Cosmic Ikon 8 Moth

Cosmic Ikon 8 Moth
Cosmic Ikon 8: Moth Nebula(imagined-acrylic) The Gold field of deep space is intended to convey the Lordship of Christ over the whole of the Cosmos

Surprise garden rose (Photo)

Surprise garden rose (Photo)
This beautiful head of roses in our garden, which are giving off a delightful perfume in the morning sun, seems a fitting picture to link to the sonnet 'Evolution and Beauty'. Let the picture take you there. It is a surprise because it is growing high on a bush of otherwise pure yellow roses: amazing!

Cross and Vortex

Cross and Vortex
'Cross and Vortex' to accompany 'Stars and Planets Sing Your Glory'. Click on the image to go to the poem/hymn.

Gaseous Cosmic Threads (Mixed media)

Gaseous Cosmic Threads (Mixed media)
Gaseous Cosmic Threads: Mixed media - acrylics and painted threads

St Francis’ Sky (Photo)

St Francis’ Sky (Photo)
Warm Umbrian Hills: Click image to take you to the poem St Francis' Sky

Cosmic Icon 7 Summerflower

Cosmic Icon 7 Summerflower
Cosmic Icon 7 - Summerflower Nebula (Acrylic)

Cosmic Labyrinth (CGI)

Cosmic Labyrinth (CGI)
'Cosmic Labyrinth' - This icon is a symbol of the path through the near reaches of the Cosmos with its 'Havens' where current advances in science (2012/13) are celebrated. By clicking on the picture you will be taken to the latest version of the poem of the same name.

Cross of Autumn Leaves (cropped Photo)

Cross of Autumn Leaves (cropped Photo)
Time, perhaps to consider a restorative break before the approach of Advent/ Christmas. Let this image take you to 'On Drawing Apart'.

IONA: The Marble Quarry (Photo)

IONA: The Marble Quarry (Photo)
On the South shore of Iona is a bay which shows the industrial scarring of a beautiful place. Read of it by clicking on the picture

Celtic cross candle (Photo)

Celtic cross candle (Photo)
Celtic Cross and candle' linked to the poem 'Awesome, Wonderful Creator'. Go to the poem by clicking on the image.

Light of the World amidst stars (CGI)

Light of the World amidst stars (CGI)
'Light of the world' posted to accompany 'To Light'. Find the poem by clicking on the image.

Iona from Fionnphort (Watercolour)

Iona from Fionnphort (Watercolour)
Iona from Fionnphort. At this point of the Isle of Mull, the end of a pilgrimage or trip to Iona is in sight. Click on this picture to take you to the poem 'IONA - The Pilgrim Way'

My Mesh Mask for Radiotherapy

My Mesh Mask for Radiotherapy
This is the mask which was moulded to my face to ensure the radiotherapy I had in April 2017 was precisely targeted. You can read more by clicking on the image

Double Celebration

Double Celebration
Pam, who has been magnificent in caring for me since my Cancer diagnosis in October and I celebrate the end of Radiotherapy and our 36th Wedding Anniversary (Note the return of some hair!). Click on the image to read about the treatment - and waiting.

St Neots Sunset (Photo)

St Neots Sunset (Photo)
Surrounded by beauty: Whie 'Evolution and Beauty' became one of the most viewed poems on this blog, Pam, my wife took this gorgeous picture of a sunset over the flatlands of Cambridgeshire UK. Click on it to go to the poem

Gabriel - written/painted by Pam, my wife in 2015

Gabriel - written/painted by Pam, my wife in 2015
Gabriel began the Christmas story with his visit to Mary. The story is told in our Christmas collection in the Carol, Go to Nazareth My Great Messenger. Click on this image to take you there.

Maple Leaf Nebula (CGI)

Maple Leaf Nebula (CGI)
IMAGINARY IMAGE TO CELEBRATE CANADA DAY: Click on this his imaginary 'Maple Leaf Nebula' to take you to a poem entitled 'Nebula' (image not to be confused with NGC 2024, the Flame Nebula which is also known as the Maple Leaf)

Beauty in the Garden - June 2016

Beauty in the Garden - June 2016
Beauty in the Garden - June 2016

Aurora Imagined over Iona (Watercolour & pastel)

Aurora Imagined over Iona (Watercolour & pastel)
First posted here on Adomnan’s day (23rd September) 2015. An imagined natural phenomenom that could be seen to resonate mystically with the idea of Iona being a ‘thin place’ where heaven brushes earth.

Assisi Sunset

Assisi Sunset
Assisi Sunset

Thinking about the Brain

Thinking about the Brain
This image is formed from a small section of neural pathways posted by the Koch Institute, clipped, part inverted and stitched together. It is intended to impart a sense of our extensive, but still partial understanding of what goes on in that awesome part of our bodies, our brains. By clicking on the image, you will be taken to a celebratory poem/song ‘For Amazement by Beauty’ about all of our senses.

Source (CGI by Trevor Thorn)

Source (CGI by Trevor Thorn)
Source: Expand the image to reveal its heart

Rainbow spiral (CGI)

Rainbow spiral (CGI)
'Rainbow Spiral' to accompany 'Darkness,Illuminator' . Find the poem by clicking on the iImagined mage

Cross and simple Prayer rope (Photo)

Cross and simple Prayer rope (Photo)
Cross and simple prayer rope: make one like this to use as an aid to using ‘The Jesus Prayer'