The familiar carol rings: A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new glorious morn A thrill of hope...yet some days hope feels like a discipline, something to hang on to for dear life as we toss, washed and worn, by the cosmic spin cycle. Still, I think of children on … Continue reading Yonder
Tag: Christmas
Advent 2018 Wk4 – Worship
Too often we think Worship = Going to Church. We hustle-bustle out the door. We sit, stand, sing, shake hands in the pews, listen. We greet our neighbors and head home, worship-job done. That's too narrow. Worship = recognizing and reflecting back to God His incredible worth, to love Him and love our neighbor with … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk4 – Worship
Thankful Thursday – Wassailing
Last night, for the first time, we attended our high school's holiday concert called The Wassail. When I asked Q14 if he'd like to attend, he asked about the unfamiliar word. I sang the first line or two of the carol, enough to jog his memory, and explained that wassail is also a drink similar … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Wassailing
Advent 2018 Wk3 – Faith
The year C20 had his first birthday, Guy and I both turned 30 a few weeks before and after. Our birthdays span November to January so Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's got wrapped up in the fun. We created a list of small celebrations we could enjoy each day during those eight weeks, simple activities … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk3 – Faith
Advent 2018 Wk 2 – Joy
Lately I have been impressed with stories of joy: people enduring difficult circumstances with genuine smiles lighting their faces and claims of, "Laugh or cry, I choose to laugh," or "I was born a happy child," or "I choose to do something I enjoy every day." People who, in witness to others' difficult circumstances, decide … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk 2 – Joy
Advent 2018 Wk1 – Hope
Recently I had a conversation with a friend who admitted she is looking forward to the holidays and, truly, next year. She's had a rough few months and needs some joy and a fresh start. Same. And, from conversations with others, I know we aren't alone. It seems so many people are up against so … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk1 – Hope
Merry Christmas – The Messiah Has Come
“O Lord, you are the musician, and we are all your instruments. You breathe, and we come to life. You breathe, and we are horns for your glory. You blow through the world the winds of the spirit, and we like chimes cannot keep silent. You pluck the strings of our hearts, and we become … Continue reading Merry Christmas – The Messiah Has Come
Advent 3 – Longing for the Prince of Peace
When I chose "recreate" as my 2017 word of the year, I anticipated keeping on keeping on with my creative life pursuits while engaging more playfully. I did not expect the mess, the dusty piles that result from taking things apart in order to make something new. I didn't expect the directions the word would … Continue reading Advent 3 – Longing for the Prince of Peace
Advent Week 2 – Anticipating the King
My family will attest: I enjoy having people over. I enjoy cooking and serving and spending time with friends in the comfort of my own home. My family will also attest: In the last hour before company arrives, more often than not I transform into a dragon. I could blame the family but, truth, it's … Continue reading Advent Week 2 – Anticipating the King
Advent 1 – Preparing for the Child
Having babies didn't come easily for us. Before each of our two successful pregnancies, we endured months of waiting and praying, regular heartache, and celebrations of the births of many babies to family and friends. Our boys arrived almost six and eleven years into our marriage, definitely not on our timeline. In both cases, we … Continue reading Advent 1 – Preparing for the Child