Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda—The Armchair (Mother Hilda’s story of the old man and his empty armchair. She says whenever you’re struggling to pray, or even if you don’t really believe in Jesus, just sit quietly with another chair before you and imagine that Jesus is sitting there as he did in Galilee. What would you tell him? Why not go further and challenge him. If you want something, ask for it. If you receive it, give thanks, all these exchanges are in the realm of prayer. Don't recite holy phrases just say what is truly in your heart. It's just so easy and what a joy for Jesus. We can afford to give him that.)

Incarnate Series–Darren McDowell—Fill These Jars (In this coming Saturday’s gospel reading from John 2:1-11, the wedding at Cana, Jesus asks the servants to fill six stone water jars with water and take a sample to the chief steward. What would you have done? Can you imagine being one of the servants in this Gospel reading? What Jesus asks seems ridiculous. We can all be like this at times when thinking about what God is asking of us.)

God in the Everyday—Fr Mike Delaney— Assumptions or Expectations (Fr Mike was recently chatting with a Church worker from another denomination and sharing some of the hassles I have when things don’t seem to work, and she asked what I expected, or hope might happen. I’ve just printed a sign which now sits above my desk saying – Expectations Not Assumptions – to remind myself that assuming things will happen because they did in the past or in a previous experience does not guarantee they will happen this time. When I headed off on this year’s Wine Tour, I went to have a good time with good wines, good friends and good food. I didn’t expect that I would also learn a good life lesson. It is in the simple everyday things that God speaks to us and that none of us are ever too old to learn something new.)

Milk & Honey—Trish McCarthy—Flowers or Weeds (Your mind is a garden, thoughts are the seeds, so you can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds. Our thoughts are powerful things. One of the greatest and mysterious gifts that we have been given. Yes, they have the potential to affect the attitude of our attitude and our actions. What kind of garden are you growing? With God's help it is possible to clean up our thoughts. And when we do, it has significant impact not only on ourselves, but all those whom we encounter. Have some fun today with your thoughts. What kind of garden are you growing?)

Gospel Reflection– Larry Broding -- Mary Treasured These Words in Her Heart (read by Max Norden) (New Year is a time to cherish last year's events and a time to look forward to new challenges. We take time to take stock and plan. In these verses from Luke, the shepherds spread the Good News and all responded in awe. Mary "treasured up these words, pondering them together in her heart," taking time to reflect on the events of her Son's birth. In doing so, she cherished the memories mothers have of their first experience of childbirth. And she cherished the message that her Son would be the Messiah and Lord of all.)

On The Journey This Week: The Gospel reflection by Larry Broding. Mother Hilda’s story of the old man and his empty armchair. Plus, an extra Christmas season reflection from Darren McDowell, and Fr Mike Delaney’s office sign – “Expectations Not Assumptions” – to remind himself that assuming things will happen because they did in the past or in a previous experience does not guarantee they will happen this time.

On The Journey This Week: Fr Rob Galeas’ Gospel reflection on the story of the incarnation that Jesus became one of us. Mother Hilda says follow St Joseph’s way when dealing with life’s pains. Plus, extra Christmas season reflections from Fr Sean Cullen and Ken Bryant, and the Bush Deacon, Josh Clayton’s Christmas greeting, we are called to care for and be a Christmas gift of God’s love to those who are struggling this Christmas.

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda– Joseph’s Way (Sobbing and loud lamentation are not new to any of us either in our own lives, the world itself, or in those around us. Life can be so unfair, and we have no words to offer comfort. Yet, an answer there must be, and Saint Joseph provides it. He was in the habit of listening to God, and God gave him a dream. If we want a way through life’s pain, then it is time to listen to the God who is listening to you. A little prayer to pray often: Open my heart, O Lord, and turn it in the direction of you. Amen. )

The Bush Deacon—Josh Clayton—Christmas Greetings (The Bush Deacon sends his Christmas greeting as he reflects on the year we have experienced, our different circumstances as we participate in the Christmas season, responding to COVID, the widespread flooding, for some – still recovering from previous bushfires, and for others - smaller personal challenges. The juxtaposition of the Aussi Christmas is striking; the traditional Northern hemisphere cold, darkness and short days to our radiating bright light, the heat, the bushfire and other natural disaster threat, can sometimes make it more difficult to appreciate the full circumstances of the miracle of the incarnation. However, the one Christmas action we have in common with the rest of the world, regardless of which hemisphere we live in, is, we are called to care for and be a Christmas gift of God’s love to those who are struggling this Christmas.)

Incarnate Series–Fr Sean Cullen—God Among Us (At the heart of the Christian message is that Christ continues to come to us in real, concrete, actual ways. As people of Christ, we need to be there in all of the ways we can be there, for what God did once in the life of Jesus, God continues to do through us. So, how does the Word become flesh in us? By being present. The person who is grieving, or guilt-ridden, or despairing, needs the gift of a personal presence. Our world doesn't just need the Word, it needs the Word to become flesh. This Christmas offer the gift of your personal presence.)