I am squeezing in one more Advent reflection with just a few hours to go! I have been thinking about a passage from Dorothy Day, titled “Room for Christ.” It was the reflection in my Advent devotional from December 19th. She begins her reflection this way: “It is no use saying that we are born…… Continue reading Making Room at Christmastime
Category: Advent
A Sign of Good News
This morning, when I got back from my run, John had the news on, and I walked into the room just in time to see a nurse in NYC receive one of the first Corona virus vaccines. And, I’m not going lie, I choked up a bit. There it was: undeniable and irrefutable–a tangible sign…… Continue reading A Sign of Good News
A Good Time to Wait
This year, more than usual, I have been looking forward to the season of Advent. I love Advent every year, mostly because of how much I love Christmas, and so I take great delight in the anticipation of the joy of the incarnation and the celebration of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Christmas is a season of love,…… Continue reading A Good Time to Wait
Waiting in the Darkness
For many of us, darkness is little more than a foil for the light; something to be feared, something to be endured, something to be avoided at all costs. And I get that. Bad news that seems manageable at 2 PM feels catastrophic at 2 AM. A health scare that seems under control at…… Continue reading Waiting in the Darkness
An Advent Reflection on Hope
Hope has many different meanings. For example, I can hope against hope the Broncos are going to make the playoffs this year—they’re not. I can entertain wild hopes that I will shave 15 minutes off my half-marathon time, without actually doing extra training—I won’t. Or, I can hope that in spite of the dreary rain…… Continue reading An Advent Reflection on Hope
Advent Thoughts on Running the Race
So, I have another reflection from my Advent devotional; this time on Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the…… Continue reading Advent Thoughts on Running the Race
Thoughts on the Beginning of Advent
I am so excited that Advent is finally here; it really is my favorite time of year. Of course, some of this is because of the secular [read: commercial] Christmas season that started with Thanksgiving, really. I can’t help myself: I love decorating the house, writing Christmas cards, shopping for presents, baking, etc., etc.; and…… Continue reading Thoughts on the Beginning of Advent
Stardust and the Incarnation
Last night was mid-year graduation at Gettysburg College. It was the first time I had attended, and it was a really lovely ceremony. The graduates were recognized, and as each one came across the stage, we heard just a little about them. There were only 30 or so students, so the ceremony had a very…… Continue reading Stardust and the Incarnation
Expectant Waiting, Adoption and a "death-bearing grave of a God"
Perhaps nothing best embodies Advent waiting like pregnancy. Obviously, Mary’s pregnancy is the event all Christians are waiting for these weeks–so there’s that–but even more broadly, physical pregnancy is the source of the metaphor of new life, and also points us to new hope and new beginnings. So, it is perhaps somewhat ironically that I…… Continue reading Expectant Waiting, Adoption and a "death-bearing grave of a God"
