Earlier this week, I had big feelings over small things.I cried over Christmas lights. It wasn't pretty. I was skeptical and cranky about our tree. But today, the tree is decorated with a colorful cacophony of memories and strung with not-LED colored lights. The sun is hitting it just so--illuminating the striped glass ball that used to hang … Continue reading What are You Seeking this Advent?
Last year, when December was just around the corner, and I noticed that my to-do list was becoming more and more consuming, I asked the question: "How do I want to be this season?" I knew that the answer was not: stressed or focused on buying things or getting stuff done. Rather, I wanted to … Continue reading An Advent Calendar for Wonder and an Open Heart
Before I get lost in the to-do list. Before I jot down lists of presents to buy. Before I stock my pantry in anticipation of Christmas baking. Before I get out ornaments and lights. I need to take a breath. I need to take another breath. I need to pull out my journal and sit … Continue reading What Does Your Soul Need for Christmas? (or preparing for a contemplative holiday season with questions)
What do you hope for this Advent? I found myself asking this question the other day. I wrote down answers like: I hope for a heart full of wonder. I hope for a heart open to mystery and the holy. I hope for a heart that is ever softening and expanding. I hope for a … Continue reading An Advent “To-Be” List
I’ve had a tenuous relationship with Christmas the last few years. Christmas has seriously stressed me out. It’s not just all of the extra and expectations that go into the month of December; although, these also play a role in holiday stress. But navigating Christmas with faith-shifting questions is hard. Christmas has a way of … Continue reading The Question that’s Saving my Christmas
We welcomed the Advent season yesterday. Season of anticipation, of waiting, of hope, of birth. What life, what light, is growing in this fertile dark? Birth is blood, is tears, is strength, is fierce, is tender, and soft, and bruised. Birth is hard work. Without birth, both new life and old die. What are you growing … Continue reading A Poem to Welcome Advent
Silent Night Holy Night gets drowned out in presents and preparations, wrapping, cooking, shopping, family, family, and more family (whom I love dearly!). The way we celebrate Christmas seems to be a how-to-primer on how to miss Heaven on earth. We walk right by-- wearied and noise-worn, or excited, oversaturated, and overstimulated. Today, I want … Continue reading Holy in the Silent Night
I. "Don't be afraid," They sang into the dark. Light: Brilliant, Bewildering, and Blinding Tore through the dark night sky. Light Sang: God is with us. Don't be afraid. As the flaming messengers disappeared, Dark returned. Running, Stumbling through the unlit hills and streets, Shepherds searching. Seeking. Finding. Shouting. Overcome by God with us. … Continue reading An Advent Invitation and Blessing
Jessica Sanborn 