Young at Heart

Young at Heart: Germany's First Playground for Seniors - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News
Imagine a playground in the middle of the park. One on which there are signs clearly indicating that this should not be used by those aged under 55. You'd think it strange, wouldn't you? Well, this latest idea has popped up in Germany. A playground for the elderly, where they can use several of the fixed features for gentle exercise and limb movement. It all goes to help those who find it difficult to exercise and who cannot compete with the pressures or prices of a gym. So now they can waltz down to the park and play in the playground, while the kids nominally should simply look on and then they can feel well enough to walk back home (hopefully). Only later during the twilight hours do the kids dare venture onto this new phenomenon.
I think its amazing idea and should be adapted and adopted in Britain. Only just dont let the elderly people have any black markers. Who knows what graffiti may appear on the apparatus!!

It's downright Criminal

So, according to Speigel Magazine, a poll from people of Europe (35,000) were asked about the state of life and criminality in their country and what has affected them from break ins and car theft to muggings and sexual crimes.
They conclude that the UK and Ireland are the worst countries for crime in Europe (which I can well understand) and that London has 50% more crime than New York or Istanbul.
I think this is down to education and society and in the UK society is more a breakdown point than anywhere else in Europe.
So hold on to your hats and car keys, until you are in Finland, as this is one of the safest.

Saint Nick too

Yes, Saint Nick is alive and kicking all throughout Germany. All of the children know who Saint Nick is and what he does, but there is one condition. Clean shoes. All children must put their shoes out for the visitor to fill them with his delights, but woe to the ones who do not clean them prior to putting them out. Saint Nick will look upon them in disdain and may even pass by a pair of dirty shoes.

I write this on the eve of Christmas. A time of expectant children waiting for Santa Claus to come and fill their stockings or entire ground floor of bedroom, (depending on your outlook), and children must have a good heart or be on good behaviour to receive a gift from Santa.

The two stories are interlinked through the eons of history and the interpretations and distortions of culture and media, yet there is more.

We celebrate the birth of Christ and we know that he was willing to give us a gift. The gift of eternal life. We don't need to be good or clean our shoes, yet we need to repent, and ask Jesus for forgiveness for all the wrong we have done. Jesus will fill your heart and make as new and you shall have joy in knowing that God will welcome you as a child into his arms.

Merry Christmas.

Saint Nick

I find it hilarious how commercialised our Christmas is becoming. Every company is jumping on the bandwagon wanting you to buy their product, instead of someone else's. Every company believes their product is better than the rest and there is nowadays a huge emphasis on the fact that people cannot live without these products.

I read an article this weekend about the endeavour of a german lady who thinks that Germans are forgetting their past icon more in favour of the present icon. Christmas was really a small affair in Germany, but December 6th was the time in the past when small gifts would be exchanged in honour of Saint Nicolas. German children would leave their shoes out overnight on the 6th December, for them to be filled the next morning with goodies, namely fruit or sweets.

Santa Claus (a derivative of Saint Nicolas) has taken over the tradition and moved to coincide with Christmas on 24th December. The goodies become larger, more elaborate. No longer content with just a shoe full. Santa Claus has taken over the world, portraying greed, envy, lust, desire with our emotions to get the best and the most original, for our loved ones; to gain some satisfaction in seeing their faces, knowing that you went all out for the best and most expensive, and they love it....for a minute. Then its on to the next present from uncle Joe, and the best and expensive item you bought is forgotten amongst the shards of wrapping paper, as uncle Joe's simple gift provides the most fun. Rejection hurts and turns to rage, bitterness and strife.

Furthermore, the real reason of why we celebrate Christmas is forgotten. Buried under the relentless bright lights, slogans, noise of the advertising world striving to get your attention and part with your money, it surfaces occasionally in a small picture, or the model nativity figures on the display stand in the middle of the mall or a sounding of a carol over the tannoys as you shop. You listen to the words of the carols, but your eyes feast in the goodies offered on the shelves. You hear the plight of the poor during the breaks as you watch the endless stream of fun and film on the flickering box in the corner, satisfied after a 6 course midday meal. You hear the traditional christmas message, half asleep in well earned slumber, but the message itself is not strong or clear, as it wants to incorporate something which people may actually want to watch.

On these days. the churches compete with the shops. Compete with the TV. Compete with other faiths, trying to sell you their message of peace and enlightenment.

But where is the child?

Where is Jesus?

He gave you the ultimate gift. The costliest, most expensive gift you could ever recieve. Eternal life. A life with God in heaven. For ever.

Don't bury Jesus under the shards of wrapping paper. Don't stick him on the top of the tree. With the flashing neon lights around you, open the Bible. With the latest chart pop song in your ears, pray to him.

When you reach out to Jesus, he'll find you.

He has no flashing lights or sounds. He's there. In all and everything and wants to be in your heart this Christmas.

Celebrate Jesus and not your wealth and you'll have the best Christmas ever.

PS. I'm off to Germany for two weeks, so I'll put my shoes out waiting for Saint Nick this Wednesday.