Canary-ed by Emily Owen

My nephew recently showed me his fish.

He told me about feeding them, and about their medicine.

“Medicine?!”  said I, who had no idea fish-medicine is a thing.

“Yes, because they’ve been poorly. They’re mostly better now. But this one (he points to one beneath a stone at the bottom) is taking the longest to recover. He’s the canary.”

“Canary?!” said I, who had no idea canary fish are a thing.

“Yes, like the canaries in coal mines. He got it first; he’s the most sensitive. Like the canaries in coal mines went ahead, to help others not get carbon monoxide poisoning.”

“Who told you about canary fish?” asked I, knowing how gullible I am.

“Google.”

It’s official, then: canary fish are indeed a thing.

The canary – and, it seems, canary-fish – went ahead, to prevent, as far as possible, people (or other fish) from becoming ill. 

The canaries took that on themselves.

At Christmas, we remember Jesus’ coming.

Jesus – Saviour. 

And she will have a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

He came to go ahead of us.

He came to keep us safe.

He came to make things better.

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned….

(Isaiah 9:2)

As we celebrate Him this Christmas, and look ahead to 2024, may we know Peace.

He knows what next year will bring, and He will be in it with us.

He goes ahead.

If I can put it this way, we are canary-ed.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it….

(John 1:5)

 

I wish you a joy-full Christmas, and a knowing that He goes ahead into 2024.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counsellor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

(Isaiah 9:6,7)