Cycling in Appenzell I came upon this minimal Christmas decoration on the ground. Today it is covered in snow and can no longer be seen. Tomorrow is the last day of Christmas. Winter has arrived.
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In
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Cycling through Appenzell hills, close to the town of Grub, in a winter wonderland. As you see from the photo the snow is lacking but the frost will convince you that winter has indeed come. A few minutes earlier we saw a sea of fog that was then replaced by this.
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Like a dream, this vision
as quieting as a lullaby,
silent as an Arctic night,
in which even a candle light burns bright.Like a song, this vision,
bursting like stars in the sky,
refusing to be silenced by the questions, how and why,
God on high come down to us, dwelling in a manger.Like a hope, this vision,
an end to the power of lies,
a truth tying us together as sisters and brothers,
a strong conviction that love will arise.Like a child, this vision,
burning the boots of war in the fire,
requiring the reign of justice,
with many names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.God with us,
held in a fathers arms,
quieted by a mother’s song,
haloed with expectant promise,
and for a moment, all is calm,
heavenly peace.
With shepherds and angels we draw near,
to cradle God,
who is here, with us,
now and forever.
Amen.This greeting opened the Christmas eve service on at the Geneva Evangelical Lutheran Church. It captures the meaning of that evening so well.
Merry Christmas ?
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On the surface this looks like a sunset but it isn’. This the sun over Cameroon an hour ahead of the sunset in N’Djamena in Chad. The intense light from the sun was interpreted as a sunset by the camera. I think a real sunset photo would more or less the same though
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When I was a little boy you would find a number of ships being repaired at Slippurinn in Reykjavík. Today I saw one. What was once a paint store is now a hip and cool hotel where you can sip a coctail, look at the ships and enjoy the view of the city mountain Esja. The times they are a-changin.
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Lighting a bonfire is a part of the New Years Eve traditions in Iceland. The whole neighbourhood gathers to watch the fire, reminisce and meet friends and family and light up some fireworks. At Ægissíða in Reykjavík a huge bonfire it lit every year. That’s where I took this photo.
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