eDevs

Friday, February 20, 2026

EmmDev 2026-02-20 [Lent 2026] The Heart of the Lent Journey

The Heart of the Lent Journey

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes
so that it will be even more fruitful.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John15:1-4)

This passage describes the heart of the Lent Journey.
While we may be pursuing goals, adding or subtracting from our lives, the heart of it is not the abstinence or the ticking of boxes. The heart of Lent is to be a branch connected to the Vine.
It is to remain in Him.

I'm world famous for coming up with good plans for Lent:
- "I'll get up earlier and read 3 chapters from God's Word."
- "I'll spend more time in prayer."
- "I'll cut sugar or stop shaving or cut social media"
- "I'll give more to charity or volunteer somewhere or deliberately do good"

Usually the plans are ambitious and enthusiastic and, because I'm pretty determined, I usually get them done. But the danger is that it has actually been more about ticking the boxes and achieving the goals (and the bragging rights) than it has been about staying connected to the Vine (Jesus) and remaining in connection with Him.

The other danger is that I can perceive these disciplines as a way of saving myself. But Jesus is clear, we're already clean because of the word He has spoken to us. We are clean because of the Gospel - we are saved by Grace, forgiven by Jesus and even our pruning is done by the Father.

The beautiful truth is that the Father is the Gardener.
If I stay close to Jesus and the Father, He will cut and prune and work in me.

Any "holy habits" or "lent disciplines" that I undertake are like tyre-tubes floating in the stream. We hang on to them and kick a bit but we are "carried along" by the stream of the Father's love and care - not primarily by our own efforts. Sometimes hanging on is hard and the effort shapes us and forms us, but the credit goes to Him.

So work hard in Lent - pursue God with all your heart - not your Lent Goals.
The moment it becomes more about the goals than about "remaining in Him" then reset.

A couple of years ago, I set up an ambitious set of goals for Lent.
To get it all fitted in I was getting up early, going to bed late and getting cranky when my rhythms got interrupted. I realised that while I was sincere, devoted, dedicated and sacrificial, I had lost sight of Jesus who just wanted me to bask in His love. I dropped the list and spent the rest of Lent doing only one thing: Remembering that I was deeply loved - just as I am. In other Lent Seasons, I've worked hard, but my eyes were firmly on Jesus and I grew significantly.

For this Lent - whatever you do - Remain in Him - it's the only way to bear fruit.

LENT PRAYER:
Lord, You love me and died for me.
You are at work in me.
In this Lent Season I really want to draw nearer to You.
I've set some goals, but I ask You to set the pace.
Give me the wisdom and passion to reach out to You with all I have.
But help me to be open to Your voice and course-corrections from You.
I want to bear more fruit for You Lord.
So come Holy Spirit and be my guide.
In the amazing name of Jesus.
Amen.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

EmmDev 2026-02-19 [Lent 2026] Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation

My friend, Andries Combrink, called Lent "a season of simple rejuvenation..."
This accurately captures my longing for this Lent in my heart and yours...

Isaiah 40 is a much beloved chapter.
Thematically it marks the transition where the prophecy moves from rebuke for rebellion and idolatry to a pronouncement of hope and restoration.
Historically it moves from Israel's exile in Babylon (and why it happened) and moves to the promise of a return.
Spiritually it describes the human predicament and exile in brokenness and offers us a God-given restoration!

This magnificent chapter offers hope, describes God, and invites us to a place of intimacy with Him. We're going to plumb its depths for the first few days of our "season of simple rejuvenation."

The chapter begins with assurance of Comfort...

Historically it addresses the consequence of their rebellion: Israel had ceased to rely on God and this led to a moral and spiritual breakdown that allowed a another nation to defeat them. But God has seen their brokenness. (They have received "double" for their sins - in Hebrew idiom this simply means "enough".)

God's love and the consequences for sin are difficult concepts to hold in tension until we factor in the dynamic of free will. Free will allows for wrong choices and wrong choices have consequences (that's what makes them wrong choices!) And God, who gives free will, also allows the consequences of wrong choices.

But God sees our pain - He wants to comfort and heal us.
And so begins the journey of restoration: Anticipated by Isaiah, inaugurated by Jesus and fulfilled at Calvary and the Empty Tomb.

CHALLENGE: Yesterday we confessed our sins. As you think through the consequences of our brokenness, ask God to comfort and restore you. Invite Him to begin a process of restoration in you over the season of Lent. Know that God wants to "Comfort" you.

"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.
"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins." (Isaiah40:1-2)

EmmDev 2026-02-18 [Lent 2026] Belated Ash Wednesday - Ash and Oil

Belated Ash Wednesday - Ash and Oil

Hi Everyone
Here's a belated Ash Wednesday Devotion...

Ash and Oil

A few years ago we woke up on Ash Wednesday to discover that we'd had a break-in and phones were stolen.
It made me think about Ash Wednesday in very different ways...

On Ash Wednesday we mix ash and oil and make the sign of the cross on our foreheads.

Ash reminds us of our mortality and is a sign of sorrow & repentance.
Oil is the symbol of Healing, Comfort, Blessing and Celebration.
And the Cross is the place of suffering but also redemption.

These symbols were very prominent for me as we navigated the robbery.

I thought about Ash as I processed the brokenness of society (crime and violence), as I heard a friend's painful story of disappointment and betrayal, and recognised my own impatience when trying to arrange replacement phones etc.

I thought about Oil (the symbol of God's tender Holy Spirit) as I received comfort, calm, wisdom and inspiration throughout the day. As I was able to push the bully of fear aside and recognise God's hand in a chance encounter with an old friend and the encouraging conversation we had.

Lent is about preparing to contemplate the wonder of the Cross.
Lent is about opening our hearts anew and afresh to God.

King David failed badly and sinned horribly.
As he drew near to God, he did so with sincere remorse, but also great hope.
He believed that Ash would be combined with Oil to bring healing.
While he feared that his sin was grounds to be cast out of God's presence, he believed that God could change his heart and transform his life.

As we look forward to Easter, we think of the One who was cast off and forsaken in our place so David and you and me could be made whole.

May this passage from Psalm 51 be our Lent prayer:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalms51:11-12)

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

EmmDev 2026-02-17 [Lent 2026] Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday

I'm interrupting our series on Mark to do a few devotions on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent.

The Background to Lent and Shrove Tuesday

"So, what is Lent?"
Lent is based on the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness at the beginning of His public ministry. (Sundays are not counted, so Lent is actually 46 days long)
During the second century it became customary to baptise all converts on Easter Sunday. During those ages of persecution and martyrdom, they had to be thoroughly prepared for the confession of their faith and for their challenging walk with the Lord.

These preparations lasted 40 days -- not counting Sundays. Fasting and Prayer played an important role alongside the lessons the converts would receive during this time. After a while, other Church members felt the need to repeat the course. This always coincided with the European Spring and so this Season of the Church became known as "Lent" which is Old English/Germanic for Spring. Lent reaches its climax on Good Friday and ends with the Celebration of Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

There are two important aspects to Lent:

Penitence: We realise our own brokenness and our need for Christ.
Preparation: We strive to open our hearts wider for the celebration of Easter.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (which I will talk about tomorrow) and is followed by the 40 days of "fasting" which I will talk about on Thursday and Friday.

Today we talk about Shrove Tuesday...
The term 'Shrove' is derived from the word 'shrive' or 'shriven', which refers to the process of 'confessing one's sins' before going into Lent. In many Christian traditions people would abstain from rich foods during this fast time. As Wednesday was the start of Lent, Shrove Tuesday became the day to use up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, sugar, and milk before the Lenten fast and pancakes serve this purpose very well!

The ingredients are seen symbolically: Eggs represent creation and a new beginning, salt represents cleansing and wholesomeness, milk stands for purity and flour for the substance of life.

Jesus reminded His disciples that they should not look mournful when they fasted and so the church found it fitting to start a fast with a feast!

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Deuteronomy8:10-14)

Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning.
God's goodness brings us to great blessings. Our food, drink and satisfaction are gifts from Him. But our comfort can become complacency and we can credit ourselves
instead of our Heavenly Father as the source of all good things.

So here are the key lessons of Shrove Tuesday:
- God provides abundantly
- We receive with thanksgiving
- We practise letting go, so that we may hunger for Christ

Or maybe, put another way:
- Pancakes remind us that God's world is full of good gifts
- Lent reminds us not to be ruled by those gifts
- Shrove Tuesday teaches us to enjoy with thanksgiving

So on Shrove Tuesday we celebrate that God is GOOD and we enter a season of trusting Him and drawing near to Him, and to let go with trust, because Jesus, who died and rose for us is the BREAD of LIFE...

Friday, February 13, 2026

EmmDev 2026-02-13 [Moments with Mark] An Intimate look at Failure

An Intimate look at Failure

Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him.
"Abba, Father," He said,
"everything is possible for You.
Take this cup from Me.
Yet not what I will, but what You will."
Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him.
Returning the third time, He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes My betrayer!"
Just as He was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him. The men seized Jesus and arrested Him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture Me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted Him and fled.
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. (Mark14:35-51)

The details of this encounter are incredibly intimate:
- The levels of Jesus' distress
- The fact that Jesus switched to the Aramaic term "Abba" ("Daddy" or "Pappa") in His prayer.
- The failure of the disciples to stay awake is described very candidly
- Jesus disappointment at their sleepiness
- The "signal" Judas arranges...

There's a very interesting explanation we could offer for this...
The passage tells us about a young man in a linen garment (very much like pajamas) who sneaked out and followed Jesus and the disciples to Gethsemane and watched it all unfold.

Here are the bread-crumb clues:

In Acts 12 there's a "Mary of Jerusalem" who owned an Upper Room where the disciples prayed when Peter was arrested.
This was probably the same room where they had the Last Supper, met "behind locked doors" on Resurrection Sunday, and gathered on the day of Pentecost
Mary had a son John-Mark who had an uncle named Barnabas
Barnabas brought John Mark on a missions trip with Paul, but John Mark ran away, causing a rift between Paul and Barnabas.
Eventually John Mark matured and reconciled with Paul and attended to Peter.
Legend suggests that he recorded Peter's sermons and turned them into the gospel of Mark and he, with a little bit of irony and humility, anonymously acknowledges his "cameo" in Gethsemane.

If this supposition is true, then this account becomes a powerful exploration of failure.
The disciples fail. Judas fails. The chief priests, teachers and elders fail. John Mark fails.
In the midst of it is Jesus - saddened and daunted, but resolute.

A young boy snuck out at bedtime in search of adventure.
He got to witness multiple failures but in the midst of it, a Saviour who loved us in spite of our failures.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

EmmDev 2026-02-11 [Moments with Mark] Pivotal Moments

Pivotal Moments

There are a number of pivotal moments in the Gospel Story.
Here are some of them:

When Adam and Eve sinned, God was ready with a plan: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." (Gen3:15) This passage is often called the "proto-evangelium" which means the first or primary gospel. God's plan, from the outset, was to send His Son.
Before Mary's conception there is a decision that is made in heaven - it is prophesied in the Psalms and recognised in the book of Hebrews. "Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.' Then I said, 'Here I am -- it is written about Me in the scroll -- I have come to do Your will, O God.'" (Heb10:5-7)
Then comes the moment of Jesus' baptism where the sinless Son of God, joins humanity in a baptism of repentance, symbolically "stepping into our dirty bathwater" so that He can carry our sins on the cross.
Then there is this moment - the moment where Jesus chooses to drink the cup of suffering and obey the will of the Father and reverse the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Mark keeps this moment short and sharp. Luke tells us that Jesus was in such anguish that His sweat was like drops of blood. (Some suggest that this refers to a condition called "hematidrosis" where under huge stress and pressure, a person's blood pressure rises to such an extent that the fine capillaries at the surface of the skin burst and their sweat carries that blood to their pores.)

These pivotal moments are powerful indicators of the deliberateness of Jesus (and the Father and the Spirit).
He was focused, determined and deliberate in His journey to the cross.
He came to save you and me.

Hallelujah!

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

EmmDev 2026-02-10 [Moments with Mark] Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

EmmDevs are back after a looong gap...!
My sincere apologies for the slow start. The year began with a bang and I have struggled to find my feet a bit (more about that later...) We were blessed to be able to get away for a five-day break last week and now I'm hoping to get back into the EmmDevs rhythm.

I also need to give you a heads up: The next couple of months are going to be sporadic as far as EmmDevs go... I am realising that I need to manage my energy, health and well-being after a very taxing 2025 and I have some long leave that is way overdue as well as normal leave, so there will be some "interruptions to the broadcast."

We'll be picking up and finishing our series on Mark, and I think it is quite appropriate to go into Lent (which starts next week(!!)) with some reflection on the Easter message. It's kind of like "beginning with the end in mind."

Lastly, me to wish you a belated blessed new year and pray that it will be a year of spiritual growth marked and guided by God's loving care.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." (Mark14:32-34)

If I were the disciples, I would be quaking in my boots.
Imagine seeing Jesus "deeply distressed and troubled!" This would be a first-time and unsettling experience for them. After all, this is the same Jesus who slept in a storm that terrified experienced fishermen, who endured relentless testing from the religious authorities of the day, and who cast out demons that had tormented people and communities for years.

And now His soul is "overwhelmed"...
This leaves me with three important thoughts:

Firstly, it reminds us of the enormity of what He was about to do. We sometimes talk about the cross as though Jesus went to a tea-party, but actually it was daunting and enormous and terrifying - and He did it anyway!

In the second place, I find it extremely comforting to know that when I feel overwhelmed, Jesus knows how I feel. While my agenda will NEVER be as daunting as His was, when I face a plethora of responsibilities and a world full of brokenness and I am just not sure whether I can do it, it is nice to know that I am in good company.

Finally, Jesus found comfort in sharing His struggle with His disciples and asking for their support in solidarity and prayer. We should learn to do the same...

Friday, December 5, 2025

EmmDev 2025-12-05 [Moments with Mark] Falling Away

Falling Away

"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:
"I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today -- yes, tonight-- before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown Me three times."
But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You." And all the others said the same. (Mark14:27-31)

On the surface of it - it feels tough that Jesus draws attention to the disciples' impending failure after all the emotion and tension they had already been through. Peter is immediately affronted and after his dramatic claim of fealty, Jesus brings him back to reality.

Why does Jesus seem to be so harsh?
Is it just a truthful reality check?
Is He just preparing them for the worst?

Or is there something more?

I think there is, and it's in the phrase "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." I think Jesus is saying: "Don't worry - no matter what happens - I've got you!"

There are three key thoughts here:

"After I have risen": The resurrection changes everything. Our failures? Paid for! Our mistakes? Redeemed! Our denials? Dealt with! Our lack of courage? Forgiven! Sin and Death? Conquered! The resurrection means a new beginning for us. We are new creations and His mercy is new every morning. It also meant that no matter how big the disciples' failure was, it paled into insignificance in the glorious light of resurrection.
"I will go ahead of you": We don't have to find our way to Jesus after our failures. He's going ahead of us. His heart is still toward us. Our failures don't change His heart toward us. Just like the Father of the Prodigal Son ran towards His Son, so Jesus goes ahead to meet us even after we've failed.
"Galilee": This was where Jesus called the Disciples. This was a place of simplicity and quiet. Far from the noise, bustle, politics and complexity of Jerusalem. This is a reminder to go back to the basics: to first principles, to the "first love" that Jesus calls the Church of Ephesus to return to in the letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3.

When I was active in the SCA at our high school I remember one student saying: "I don't like holidays. During the term, I have SCA and church and my routines that keep me close to God. When I go on holiday, it often feels like I take a holiday from God too."

The Christmas Season can get frenetic and busy. (As can the madness of the year-end.) Sometimes we lose touch with God in the year-end chaos and sometimes go on holiday and it becomes a holiday from God too...

So here's the comfort!
He's risen - and that is what REALLY matters.
He goes ahead of us - our failures aren't a surprise to Him and He's still coming toward us.
We need to look for Galilee - that place of simple faith and beginnings.

This is Amazing Grace - He knows our failures, loves us anyway and goes ahead to meet us in "Galilee" where we can come back to basics and first loves and be all He made us to be.

----------------------
And so, on that note, I want to close the EmmDevs for the year.
I pray this year of devotions have been a blessing to you and have helped you in your Spiritual Pilgrimage. May you know and experience the incredible love of God over Christmas and walk with Him into the new year.
Blessings and Love,
Theo

Thursday, December 4, 2025

EmmDev 2025-12-04 [Moments with Mark] Surreal Supper

Surreal Supper

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, He said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me -- one who is eating with Me."
They were saddened, and one by one they said to Him, "Surely not I?"
"It is one of the Twelve," He replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with Me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take it; this is My body."
Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
"This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," He said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark14:18-26)

The events of this night are really hard to digest. It truly is a deeply disorienting moment. Part of me wishes that one of the disciples would have protested and said something like: "Stop! What are we doing here? He's been talking about dying and now He's talking about one of us betraying Him and yet we're simply going through the motions on this ancient ritual meal!"

But we need to recognise the gravity of what is happening here. There is great sadness and great evil at play and yet there is also great solemnity. The Passover meal, celebrated for over a thousand years, encapsulated great darkness and sadness, but also hope.

Jesus, still fragrant from the anointing He received the night before, acts as the host of the meal. He walks them through the ritual, recognising the reality of pain and evil in the world, and offering Himself as the Passover Lamb.

There are some powerful statements He makes:

Woe to the one who betrays Me: In the midst of this sadness and pain, there is also the inevitability of justice. This is important, Jesus is not a helpless victim of injustice, He offers Himself and those who choose to be agents of evil will face justice. I also think Jesus is grieving over Judas while warning him. Judas, however, still makes this horrible choice.
This is My body, My blood: Jesus offers Himself as the Passover Lamb. We are invited to receive the offering and sacrifice He makes. We can participate in it and make it our own.
I will not drink again...until: A beautiful statement of hope. Here is an assurance of victory, celebration and hope.

I love the way Mark ends this section: "After they had sung a hymn..."
There is great power in ritual and ceremony. The disciples have just had their world turned upside down. They sense the inevitability of the moment and yet they sing an old passover hymn. They probably began with shaky voices, but as the words and melody gripped their souls, sang with conviction and faith, somehow, strangely, gaining hope and strength from this act of faith and community. This is why we sing at funerals and other sombre moments...

And so that is the surreal supper. A moment that should have fallen apart into bedlam and chaos but is held together by the framework of an ancient and hopeful ritual and the powerful presence of Jesus the Lamb of God who willingly gave Himself for broken people like the disciples, and you and me.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

EmmDev 2025-12-03 [Moments with Mark] Treachery, Preparations and Passover

Treachery, Preparations and Passover

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. (Mark14:10-16)

Elsewhere we are told that Judas was the keeper of the disciples' communal purse and would dip into it from time to time. It seems that Jesus' praise of the woman's generous anointing triggers Judas, who had complained of her waste of money. He goes to the chief priests, and his betrayal allows them to move their timetable forward so that they can arrest Jesus on the sly and run an early morning "kangaroo court" to get Jesus crucified before Passover. It's tragic how moments of tremendous beauty can trigger moments of great ugliness.

There are two options with regard to the arrangements that Jesus makes.

He pre-arranged it and then the man with the water jar and the scripted dialogue read like a spy movie with a clandestine rendezvous and challenges and passwords. This means that Jesus was aware of the plots against Him and was working around them.
This all comes together supernaturally, and is evidence of Jesus' divine nature, the Spirit's prompting and the Father's providence.
Either way, it is striking that these arrangements come together, whether by forethought or foresight.

The last thought for today is that they were preparing the Passover - a meal the Israelites first ate in the presence of great opposition and on the eve of great deliverance. The same will be true now.

Three thoughts for today:

Be aware that moments of great beauty can trigger backlash. This should not discourage us.
Whether by forethought or foresight, Jesus was determined to eat the Passover and then become the Passover Lamb
As we move towards Christmas, let us remember that the shadow of the cross falls over the Bethlehem manger.