My blooming best to you for Christmas

In my travels, I found some blooms to share with you for Christmas. 

The Botanic Gardens at Ballarat had some stunning seasonal displays resplendent in red and white.

There was also a collection of the most lovely fuchsias which remind me of tiny, colourful ballerinas, their long legs daintily dangling below ruffled tutus!

Because we have been busily travelling and visiting family, it has been trickier for me this year to focus on Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Christ.

But in church this morning, we sang 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing', as so many will have done this day, all over the world. The words of this hymn were written over 250 years ago by Charles Wesley and struck me afresh today, as they speak so richly of Jesus' birth and significance.

Hark the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim:

"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come

Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

I hope you have a very happy Christmas with precious family and friends. With best wishes, Bloom x