December 9, 2023

The Seventh Day of Advent

Yesterday I took a short walk around the block, just me, no one in tow.  The weather, for December 8, in Des Moines, was beyond pleasant.  The sky was blue, and the sun was shining.  This is a gift, I thought, as I ambled along, not one hurried step invaded my peaceful path.  Then I noticed a pregnant woman, walking on the other side of the street.  She too was taking her time, stopping now and then to notice a change in a neighbor’s yard.  Immediately my thoughts went back, thousands of years ago, to a young woman, who was living an ordinary life, possibly ambling over a meadow, or down a dusty path.  Her life was miraculously changed by a visitation of Archangel Gabriel.  And even with this incredible revelation, she held it all on her heart, and continued her everyday life, in a small village.  Such occasions probably happen to each of us, as we lead our ordinary lives.  Something miraculous occurs to rock our world, but within a matter of days, things go back to normal.  My intention is to ponder such visitations and revelations, to resist the temptation to move on as if nothing happened.  I am sure there are many such happenings in each of our lives.  I know such things have happened to me.  Well… maybe not an announcement such as she received, but miraculous and life changing, still.  I will not rest on what might be considered failure, in the past, but set my heart in the present, and look for that which comes to me, every day, in a most extraordinary way.  As we make the Advent journey together, perhaps you might consider doing the same.

          On this seventh day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:1.

The Reading

December 9, 2023

 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”  Isaiah 11:1

December 8, 2023

The Sixth Day of Advent

Yesterday, my grandson taught me that the best of gifts is not a wrapped present, but my presence with him, the gift held within doing something together.  My granddaughter came with the same lesson today.  We are a multi-generational household, but no one else was awake.  So, just before 6:00 am, this morning, the door, to my quarters, opened slowly, revealing a sleepy, smiling face.  She asked, “will you play with me?”  How could I say no.  I did not resist, even though the box she was carrying was one of a Play Doh ice cream set, the ones where you create ice cream delights, by forcing the Play Doh through a machine, then spooning the “ice cream” into little plastic cones or cups.  Oh yes, cannot forget the many syrupy toppings to pour, or the other decorations to sprinkle.  You know exactly where this is going, and you are correct.  This was going to be a tarp on the floor kind of mess.  I tried to match her level of excitement.  Not so sure I made the cut there.  But we did head up the stairs, and began setting up our ice cream parlor, on the circular table, after a plastic sheet was placed on the floor.  There were so many ice cream cones and cups to decorate.  The more we played, the more we laughed, and my excitement finally reached her exuberance, well almost.  The mess no longer occupied my thoughts, as I watched her carefully making ice cream cones and sundaes.  We cleaned up together, even the floor.  The plastic sheet somehow got caught in the legs of the chairs, and play dough ended up on the floor, everywhere.  But for that tender invitation to play, my morning would have consisted of paying bills and doing other adult things.  However, this morning an invitation was offered, and I accepted.  And because I said yes, my day was better, glorious.  It reminds me, how often we hear the invitation to spend time with God, but ignore the call, choosing to work on a project we think is important.  It is easy to see God in the shining eyes of a child.  Today a child led me to play, and now I recognize The Gift it was.  Advent continues to bring surprising lessons, especially about living in the present.  I hope you too are being called to play, to see the face of God in a child, or any person really, who reaches out, with an invitation, and asks you to play.

On this sixth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 9:5-6.

The Reading

December 8, 2023

 “Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:5-6

December 7, 2023

The Fifth Day of Advent

Today, I took one of my grandsons Christmas shopping.  This year we decided it would be a lot of fun for him to pick out something he really wanted, within reason, of course, a pre-Christmas gift.  When we arrived at the mall, we walked and walked and as we walked, all the things he thought he would like to have, as a Christmas present, changed, or were dropped from the list entirely, until there was no list at all, only the two of us walking the mall, looking in stores, and eating ice cream.  I was beginning to think the shopping trip was a complete failure when it happened.  He asked if we could go into the arcade.  He must have felt my hesitation, as these games, which any child can play, seem beyond my capability.  He took my hand and led me to the counter, where I heard myself purchasing a preloaded card.  Card in hand, he pulled me, from one piece of equipment to another.  It was not enough for him to play the arcade games alone, he insisted I play, with him.  Soon my trepidation gave way to play, playing with my grandson, as we banged and tilted and soared into the air, chasing mythical creatures, in pursuit of victory.  Wow!  What fun!  We left the arcade, promising each other another play date, and soon.  In the car, as we headed home, he asked me if there were computers back when I was a kid.  I laughed and replied, “No, we had paper and pencils.”  What I thought would be a day of gifts, I bought for him, turned into the day he gave me the gift of play, and joy, and memories.   

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          On this fifth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 9:2.

The Reading

December 6, 2023

 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

December 6, 2023

The Fourth Day of Advent

This morning, I rose, opened my bedroom door, and walked into my small sitting room.  I turned on the lights of the Christmas tree, and the other lights sitting about.  In the darkness of the room a frequency of lights began to create the energy of the new day.  My glance was drawn to the simple wreath of greenery and candles, once again.  I wanted, and delighted in, the lights on the tree, leaving them on all day.  But, for the circle of tree branches and candles, I would wait, each day, for the quiet ceremony which would carry me away, into a sacred refuge of peace.  Michael and I loved this time of year.  We stepped into a space in time with the lighting of the Advent wreath, at sunset, every day.  And when a hush rose-up from Mother Earth, the song was sung, the candles were lit, and we were at peace, no matter how busy the day might have been.  Oh memories, how rich, how deep, how precious.  But that does not mean they should shine all day.  The circle of light is saved for quiet, at the end of the day; and it is in that sanctuary I am called to sit, to pray, to embrace The Way of Advent. 

On this fourth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 9:2.

The Reading

December 6, 2023

 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2