There are many functions involved in Advent: preparing, watching, and praying, but it's the waiting that is hard. We know Advent is here again when every parking spot at the local mall is full, and every square on the calendar … Read more
There are some things a mother never forgets: her baby's first steps, first words, and, in my case, my daughter's first sentence. When she was a baby, we had moved in early December, and arranging our furniture came before putting … Read more
I was searching for a greeting card for a favoured person in my life, and I was thinking of buying it from the company that uses a popular slogan about caring enough to send the very best — a card … Read more
During this year's Christmas season, the most awaited movie will not be Harry Potter's latest escapade. Instead, a well-loved book, written by C. S. Lewis and called, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", will be released on the big … Read more
I remember Christmas past very well. A few days before Christmas, we would decorate a real live Christmas tree that was about five or six feet tall. My brother was very particular about how the tinsel hung. We younger ones … Read more
"Five Friday Shopping Days 'Til Christmas" the sales flyer read, reminding me of the expectations our society has put on this one day each year. The first of these notices started appearing in my mailbox the week before Thanksgiving. While … Read more
I thrive on new projects, fresh ideas, and innovative designs. The church where I attend is in need of a new Advent wreath that can be lit each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is to be … Read more
A few years ago, I found myself in Canada, after ten years in Central America, where I had hoped to remain the rest of my life working with the poor. All was so strange to me that Christmas, as I remembered how it had been there at … Read more
This year as I planned my Christmas gift for my daughter and her children, I was reminded of the conversation I had with a lady several years ago. "Anna" knew her long battle with cancer was nearly over, and as … Read more