Through my window

The sun shines through my window and illuminates a narrow slice of the room,

outside the sun is a dazzling splash of pale yellow light low on the horizon,

it lights up a corner of the sky, still magnificent as it slowly sets in the west,

the dark leafless trees are silhouetted against its flaming gold splendour,

frosty corners of the window panes glint magically in the dying sunlight,

outside freshly-fallen snow blankets the ground and tops the garden wall;

The sun is a spectacle of golden dazzling light but it’s a sun that gives no heat,

it is a cold sun in a harsh winter and there are many more chilly days ahead.

From the warmth of my heated room I peer through the window and shiver,

only necessity will persuade me to venture out in this cold winter’s chill.

In a matter of minutes the fiery disc of the sun will dip below the horizon,

then a sudden darkness will descend upon a silent wintry landscape,

and with the coming of night will come a bone-piercing numbing cold,

and the only sight dimly perceived in the pale moonlight through my window

will be a carpet of snow maintaining all things in a long dreamless sleep.

The Light of the World

The imposing figure of Christ the Redeemer, arms outstretched, stands like a lonely sentinel on its lofty perch atop Corcovado mountain high above the sprawling city of Rio de Janeiro, with which it is now inseparably linked in people's minds. Some devout pilgrims have said that they have seen Christ weep. And those that believe in him are certain that he must weep to see the sad state of the world today.

One day, seeing such misery down below, Jesus raised his voice to his Father in Heaven, and spake these words: "Oh Heavenly Father of mine, my heart is heavy with sorrow at what i see below me, at the poverty, hardship and wickedness that afflicts mankind. Pray tell me if there is ought I can do to drive back the tide of evil that is now engulfing the human race and I will do it to the full. What shall I do, my Father, what shall I do?"

And his Father spake unto him, saying: "Alas, my son, there is nothing more for thee to do on Earth. Man must fashion his own destiny and wreak his own end. Thou hast done what was entrusted to thee, carried out thy mission, and paid the ultimate price. Now thou must seek to comfort those who call upon thee, give hope to those that believe in thee, embrace those that seek solace through thee, and enlighten those that endeavour to spread the Word to all who will hear it."

And Jesus replied: "But Father, it pains me so to see Man steeped in such mortal sin. I can hardly bear to witness day after day so much misery and so much sorrow in the world and do nothing. Thou didst send me once to bring hope and forgiveness and redemption and love to mankind. Canst thou not send me again?"

And the Lord his Father answered: "Were I to send thee again, my Son, to walk among men, thy fate would be no different and the outcome no better. Man has not learnt the lessons of the past nor foresaken worldly desires. Therefore be content to be what thou art, a symbol of hope and love and peace and the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. And let thy outstretched arms embrace all those who call upon thy name and mine. Thy mere presence is like a beacon of light showing the way to eternal salvation. Thou art the bridge between heaven and earth. " And Jesus took to heart the words of his Father and the Creator of all living things and of all that is in the vast Universe, and sought not to question further his Heavenly Father.

And many were those in the city below who, looking up at the statuesque figure of Christ on high at this very moment, saw it bathed in a brilliant celestial light. And they stopped what they were doing and marvelled at the wondrous sight. And a strange peace descended upon them and hope entered their heart once again. And when the shining light had subsided it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from them, and they broke into spontaneous conversation with their fellow men, unable to contain their joy at what they had seen and felt.

For Jesus had seemed to speak to them, saying: "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not live in darkness, but will have the light of life. "

Trees

Tall proud trees reaching up in single-minded pursuit of the light, attaining heights few if any other trees can match and soaking up the precious sunlight. What these giants must survey from their lofty perch can only be imagined and must be another world from the one we humans see at ground level.

A stately tree with branches outspread, imposing in its gold autumnal colours, sedate and tranquil in its solid stance, a reassuring presence. It's the type you might like to seek solace or shelter under, whether it be from emotional turmoil or simply bad weather!

Lofty sentinels standing proud in the tropics as the dawn breaks and the sun's rays spill over the horizon, lighting up the early morning sky. What exotic adventures of exploration might these lanky giants recount if they could only speak?

Trees of all shapes, sizes and shades, in every corner of the world, in such variety as to engross and captivate the curious and the appreciative of Nature's creation. It is hard to think of any other living organism that shapes and influences our environment as much as trees.

The light beyond

AS I trudged across country on my way home one cold winter’s afternoon, I became aware of a mysterious light shining through a solitary tree a short distance to my right. It seemed to emanate from an indeterminate point and gradually spread across the snow-covered ground. Little by little it grew in intensity and little by little it grew in extent. It stopped me in my tracks and I turned to look at it full on.

FOR a minute or so it continued getting brighter and wider and fiercer and I did not know what to make of it. Eventually it stopped growing and stopped spreading, and as I looked straight into it, unable to avert my gaze and overwhelmed by its intensity, I had the distinct sense of a presence within its very heart. But i saw no-one and heard nothing apart from what seemed to me to be the sound that an intense light might make were it to make any sound.

AS i gazed into the heart of that all-embracing brightness, i felt as though some being or force was reaching out to me, bathing me in its transcendent light, washing me clean of all the mental grime that clouded my head and i felt strangely cleansed and renewed. It was a feeling such as none other and it was an experience that left its indelible mark on me and instilled me with an awareness that has stayed with me all my life.

AND then the intoxicating light source began to dim and recede and as it made way for the darkness the spell was broken and hence its hold over me. Within seconds the light that had filled and overwhelmed my vision had shrunk into nothingness and the reality of my situation returned to me and my legs recovered their mobility. I hurried on, impatient to return home before the darkness of night had fully descended. I felt cold and a shiver ran up my spine, and I quickened my pace. I had the sensation that something life-changing had happened to me but I did not know what and perhaps I would never know whether the mysterious light had caused a change in me or whether I was to change over the years.

MY house now came into sight and there were welcoming lights emanating from some of the windows. I was glad to be home at last, and relieved, but a nagging uncertainty and curiosity lingered inside me which convinced me that there would be more visions to come and that perhaps there was some special purpose to my life.

THE front door opened and joyful faces welcomed me, the faces of loved ones, and behind them shone a... light, as bright as any I had ever seen, and the light embraced them and held them in its core, appearing to project them forward towards me. The next moment I was in their midst and they encircled me and I felt an intense light descend upon all of us and take us into its heart and we were all safe and happy and united as one. Nothing could harm any of us now.. nothing at all...