Month: December 2012

I walked on air, it seemed. I felt expanded, extended, moving in sunlight that was more than real. Never before had I experienced such elation. I was alone out on the sidewalk by the hospital after visiting the newborn in her crib and … Read more

"The world is coming to an end on December 21, 2012." You have read about it in the newspaper. You have heard about it on television. There are thousands of interpretations and views on the Internet. Just google the phrase "2012 end of the … Read more

What does it mean to be truly awake?

Since our children moved from a crib to a bed, we have had a rule that they are not to get up until they see 7:00 on their clocks. They are to stay in their beds and look at a book or play quietly. … Read more

For so long, it was just a simple adornment, something I pinned on my chest in an effort to appear festive at Christmastime. Who knew — who knew that the precious gift from a loved one would soften another's heart with the message of … Read more

During Advent season, I sometimes enjoy listening to the lovely plainsong music of Gregorian chants. One song in particular is known as the "Magnificat", Mary's wonderful hymn of praise recorded in Luke 1:46-55. In this lovely piece, … Read more

Years ago, I was given a box of broken plastic airplanes by a member of the church that I served. She knew that I enjoyed putting together First World War airplane kits, so she gathered a box of her late brother's model airplanes for me. … Read more

Mr Tumnus, our pygmy goat, which had arrived two weeks earlier, just wasn't doing well. My daughter had been spending lots of time with him down in the goat barn, but for most of the day, he wandered around forlorn and lonely, bleating in … Read more

One day when I was little, I found, as the surprise in my popcorn box, a tiny pair of scissors. But, how horrible! They would not open. They just lay there in my hand, a senseless, one-piece thing of molded metal. I felt put down and … Read more

What is it about this Christmas season that makes me feel very "un-Christmas-y"? Perhaps it is the fact that family is not nearby, or the lack of snow on the ground, with rain coming down instead of snow. Or is it the health problems that … Read more

A couple of years ago during Advent, I became fascinated with the angels in the Christmas story. It's no accident that angels have become a popular Christmas decoration. Here is a summary of what I found in the scriptural reports of angels … Read more