What a glorious night it was when heaven came down and Jesus entered this world. On that holy night we were blessed with heaven's choicest gift: a child of divine power, destined to fulfil God's saving purposes. A conquering hero endowed with princely authority. And the day is coming when He will rule the whole world, bringing peace and salvation to all nations. Holy Night! This was the right night when the only-begotten Son of God appeared in human form. The coming of Jesus brings a message of hope. But doesn't the reality look very different? Satan, the adversary of Jesus, is steadily gaining power. As the prince of this world he is extending his evil influence over people and nations, almost unstoppable in his advance. All this is in fulfillment of what the Word of God foretells: "Darkness shall [...]

At Christmas, almost the first question you hear is, "What did you get?" Gifts are fun, whether quirky and creative, homemade or shop-bought, exotic or useful. Finding the right present for a loved one takes time and care. But seeing the look of delight on their faces is rewarding. Yes, Christmas is fun. But for some it is a stressful season they wish were already over. Music blaring full-blast. A visit to the mall, a non-stop rodeo with whining kids in tow. Youngsters surfing the net for the trendiest devices available. The constant demand for the newest and the best. Anxious parents quietly thinking, "How can we ever afford it?" Never mind the hassle. Never mind the frantic shopping. BBQ and party planning. Family and friends will be coming together. You'll be reminiscing with folk you haven't seen for ages. [...]

My little Lord Jesus cares. My heartache and sorrow He shares. So full of love and sympathy, He suffers with us in our pain and grief. Our pain and grief. At Christmas He comes to us, Sheds radiance on every cross, Refreshing our afflicted souls, As one day above in our heavenly home, Our heavenly home. How do the Sisters celebrate Christmas? Mother Basilea writes in her autobiography: “For most of us in the Sisterhood the secret of Christmas had been a matter of the intellect - a concept, a thought, a fact, a tradition, but not a living event or a source of divine life... It was my prayer and deep longing that the Child Jesus would receive true worship [...]

Dear Friends, After Covid-19 brought so much hardship and suffering last year, this year seems to be getting worse: human lives are still in danger, the economy is suffering from the restrictions – apart from the fires and floods in many parts of the world and the catastrophe in Afghanistan! Shocking news about the unfolding tragedy dominates the media. If we already feel so much pain for the victims of war and plagues, how much more must it hurt God's heart of love? In recent weeks, a new Bible Word has entered our hearts as a community, about which our founder, Mother Basilea Schlink, had spoken to us many years ago: "I will hope in the LORD who has hidden his face from the house of Jacob, and I will wait for him" (Isaiah 8:17). The prophet Isaiah spoke these [...]

The Sisters of Mary in Sydney with the late Lilly Silver, mother of Elaine Black, a close friend of the Sisters (2007). (courtesy) Dear Friends, an important article by our Sister Anastasia appeared in the Times of Israel and we would like to share it with you. Why do Christians fall for BDS? by Anastasia Kennedy If the Church can recant 'Replacement Theology,' then those who seek a world with no Israel can repent this long-held spiritual envy of God's Chosen People (Times of Israel, September 14, 2021) Discrimination. Social and economic isolation. Expulsion. Extermination. Jewish suffering in the common era follows an all-too-familiar pattern. It happened in medieval Europe. It happened under Hitler. With the rise of BDS, could it be that history is repeating itself? BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) is a copycat Palestinian-spawned movement adopting methods used [...]

Dear Friends, Our hearts are very much with the people of Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control. It’s truly devastating not only for the Christians, but also for the many women and children who will face severe suffering. The people of Afghanistan are clearly fearful and distraught, with many feeling the whole world has abandoned them in their greatest time of need. Persecution is quickly descending upon their nation. Now is the time for us as intercessors to stand in the breach for our brothers and sisters in the Lord as well as the many who don’t yet know Him. From the Bible we know that in times of national crisis, such as war, judgement will be tempered with mercy if God can find enough believers who walk in humility and obey His [...]

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Pentecost - outpouring of the Holy Spirit - a miracle that fills us with awe to this very day. The Holy Spirit came to earth like a mighty wind. It was a certain group of people whom the Holy Spirit came to seek - the disciples, a poor, little group of failures, who had not kept faith but deserted their Lord on His path of suffering. It was to them that He came. Even today the Holy Spirit manifests His power in the lives of those who are weak, He demonstrates who He is. He can bring dead hearts to life and fill despairing and fearful people with the power to witness. Yes, the Holy Spirit can transform everything. Come, Holy Spirit! [...]

Nothing will bring us closer to Jesus than reflecting on the Passion, for His suffering reveals His heart. It is all about having a fresh vision of the Man of Sorrows and hearing Him speak to the heart: "Do you love Me? Where I am, My servant also will be." In her prayers, songs and writings, Mother Basilea bears witness to this greatest expression of God's love. And wherever the Sisterhood has established a Canaan center, there is usually a prayer garden with reliefs depicting the passion of Jesus, for a visible representation can help to deepen our understanding. Jesus longs for us to give Him all our love in response to His love and suffering. This is how in Phoenix, Arizona, a Garden of Jesus' Sufferings and Resurrection came to be built by the Sisters of Mary with their [...]

May this word be an encouragement for the New Year: Jesus wants to come to us. We live in a world of ever-growing darkness and chaos. Today countries are ravaged by a pandemic. But Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the Eternal Light. He is like a sun that no darkness can ever eclipse. He penetrates the darkness, transforming it into light. Why should I be troubled when fear and distress take hold of me? I have a mighty Deliverer. He comes to my aid in every suffering that befalls me. Though the world is growing ever darker, though satanic forces are gaining ground, yet we know that Jesus will come as Lord and King. He will establish His dominion over all the kingdoms [...]