LET YOUR HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM!
Asparagus Croque Madame Serves 1
1 egg 3 asparagus spears 1 slice of white bread 1 tsp butter 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 slices of ham 2 slices of Swiss or edam cheese pepper, to taste Place egg in a small saucepan; cover with cold water. Cover saucepan and bring to the boil, then remove lid and boil for 5 minutes. Drain the boiled water and place the egg under cold running water. When the egg is cool enough to handle, peel. Meanwhile, blanch asparagus in a saucepan of boiling water, then drain. Grill bread under a hot grill for 1 minute on each side or until golden. Spread toasted bread with butter and mustard. Top with ham, asparagus and cheese. Grill for 1 minute or until cheese melts. Top with halved egg. Season to taste with pepper. Source: countdown.co.nz
First and foremost, Julie and I want to honour you for who you are and what you have done throughout 2021 in the name of Jesus and as Te Ope Whakaora, The Salvation Army that brings life. We thank you for your exceptional devotion to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and for sharing his love with others in so many ways. Christmas is a time when we recognise the birth of Jesus. For many of us, we will be celebrating in a different way again this year as we move into various levels of Covid-19 restrictions. Some will find themselves, as we did last Christmas Day, in a motel or hotel room trying to make the most of the hospitality given in lockdown. Our MIQ (managed isolation and quarantine) Christmas is one we will never forget, and while we valued the motel’s efforts, it just wasn’t the same as having ham and eggs for breakfast and grazing all day on other delights, which was the norm for us as a family of eight in the suburbs of Wollongong, Australia, on any Christmas Day. Hospitality is both given and received, and as you navigate Christmas this year I ask you to pause and consider making room for the Saviour of the world in your observances this season. My favourite carol over my officership, and one I have enjoyed leading and singing, is ‘Joy to the World’. Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing. (SASB, p.84) Luke 2 tells the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. It says in verse 7, ‘and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.’ There was no room for Jesus! But will you make room for him this Christmas? May I suggest that you take time as you prepare to give him room in your life, in your spiritual preparation in the period of Advent as we move towards Christmas Day, and celebrate the Saviour of the world, the Saviour of our lives. Let your heart prepare him room! May you each experience his richest blessing this Christmas and into the New Year of 2022. Commissioner Mark Campbell Territorial Commander CHRISTMAS 2021 WarCry 17