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