- 12
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Thirteenth Day of Advent
Today slipped away without anything happening to catch my eye, or ear, to share with you. It was more quiet, than is usual, uneventful. Perhaps this type of day is most familiar to each of us, more similar between each of us. That is it! I felt as if I had proclaimed it aloud. Eureka! I was in the midst of celebrating ordinary days. Most of our days, upon Earth, are spent moving from one thing to another, no extraordinary occurrences interrupting the flow. And that is how it has been for centuries. All of us doing whatever was ours to do from sunrise to sunset, then falling asleep, ending the ordinary day. So, as I sang the songs and read the verse, lighting two candles on the Advent wreath, I repeated the prayer, “Thank you God, for this extraordinary ordinary day.” While these are not the days we often remember in stories, or commemorate in a poem, they are of such comfort. These are the days which comprise most of our lifetime on Earth. And it is in their quiet presence we find tender repose.
On this thirteenth day of Advent, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 32:2.
The Reading
“Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.” Isaiah 32:2
- 10
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Eleventh Day of Advent
The adjust-as-you-grow roller skates, I ordered for one of my granddaughters, for Christmas, arrived yesterday. Protection gear, matching the skates in color and the designs, arrived in another box. The skates are just perfect, pink in color, rainbows on each side, and wheels which light up as you go. I found myself getting excited just thinking of her rolling along the sidewalk, off on an adventure. Somehow, I found comfort in the padding for elbows, knees, and wrists. She already has a helmet, so protection is in place for her journey around the neighborhood. As I wrapped the gift, that inner voice called again, reminding me that God had given me the same type of gift long, long ago, when it was my time to begin my adventure on Earth. My gift was colorful in a way suiting me perfectly, a unique touch just for me. No matter where I would go, the traction propelling my travels would light up, as I made my way. Even safety gear was included in my gift of life upon Earth. The Holy Spirit of God is within me to comfort and teach and lead The Way. I like to think that God was a bit excited just thinking of me rolling along, off on an Earth adventure of my lifetime, protection included. Because you have chosen to accompany me through this Advent season, my season is richer, brighter, holds even more meaning. And for this I am thankful. Thank you for being my companion, walking The Way.
On this eleventh day of Advent, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 30:21.
The Reading
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
- 09
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Tenth Day of Advent
I slipped from my bed, well before dawn, went into the sitting room, and turned on the lights of the Christmas tree. As I sat for morning prayer the beauty of the lights, in an otherwise dark room, gave me a gift of peace. In this sacred sanctuary I began morning prayer, eyes closed, as usual. When I opened my eyes. It was still so early that the only light, in the room, came from the tree. Then, once again, my eyes settled on the Advent wreath. No candles were lit. That would take place, as usual, at sunset. But I wanted to light the candles now, in the darkness, before the rising of the sun. At first, I resisted lighting the candles, insisting that it was not sunset, not even sunrise. The routine, the ritual, was to light the appropriate candles on the Advent wreath, at sunset every day, during the season of Advent; and I could not bring myself to break with tradition, at least our family tradition. Then a quiet voice, from within me, whispered. “There is not a set-in-stone rule about the time for an Advent ceremony.” I heard myself responding, out loud. “Well, I know that.” But did I? Was I being rigid, inflexible? I knew the answer was “yes.” So, in the predawn hush I began the song, The Light of the Dove, lit two candles, and thoroughly enjoyed my break with tradition. It felt good. By the time I blew out the candles, the first light of day was coming in through the windows. Wow, that was wonderful! With a semi-defiant stride, I went up to the family kitchen, turned on the oven to five hundred degrees, washed a huge baking potato, and placed it, center oven. Must admit I was smiling as I set the timer for one hour. Baked potato for breakfast! I am turning into an Advent rebel. I encourage each of you to do the same. Shake a few things up today. Have a baked potato for breakfast. Change the time of day you light the candles on the Advent wreath. Live on the edge.
On this ninth day of Advent, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:10.
The Reading
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10
- 08
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Ninth Day of Advent
Yesterday, while I was wrapping a few Christmas gifts, this thought came to me, like a mighty wave, washing over me, then lifting me upon its wake, carrying me to a place of solitude, transporting me to a sea of tranquility. And there I stayed, for a while. My eyes must have been closed. Strangely, I do not remember. What I do recall is a complete peace, surrounding me, holding me, suspending me from anything worldly. My mind seemed blank; the void interrupted by my one question. “What shall I bring Thee?” With that question asked, I was returned to the table next to the Christmas tree, tape still in hand, ribbons nearby. Throughout the day I repeated the question I heard myself ask at the sea of tranquility. The answer did not come until I lit the first and second candles on the Advent wreath, at sunset last night. My light. My light! I shall give you the gift of my light. I shall not let it dim or go out. Every day I will carry my light into the world. Kindness will be the ribbons, adorning the gift, and compassion will be the song of my light. I will carry my light all through the day, and into the night. What shall I bring Thee? I shall bring Thee my light.
On this ninth day of Advent, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:7-9.
The Reading
“The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea..” Isaiah 11:7-9
- 08
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Eighth Day of Advent
As I look forward to each day of Advent, I look forward to sharing with you. Because you have chosen to walk through the season of Advent with me, it has made a time, which was already special, a unique experience. And for that I say thank you, to each of you. I no longer allow the thoughts of each day to come and go, quickly moving on to the next thing at hand. When a thought pops into my head, I reach out to hold it for a while, wondering, is this something to share? Earlier today I was thinking about what it must have been like to live those thousands of years ago, waiting for a prophecy to unfold, waiting for a promised Messiah. You would certainly have to move through each day, doing whatever needed doing, but somewhere, in the back of your mind would be an ever-present thought, when will it happen? At that time, I would have been waiting for something and someone to come. At the same time, I would not have known how that “coming” would manifest. Then, it occurred to me to move into the present day, as I am now living, still celebrating a period of waiting. Then came the thought! It seemed to come out of nowhere, but I know where it came from. The thought came from The Holy Spirit, dwelling within me. And it was that, now the promise had been fulfilled, at this present piece of eternity, it was God, waiting for me, my coming into an illumination, revealing, opening, embracing my Advent. God is waiting for me to be all I am sent to be. God is waiting… for me.
On this eighth day of Advent, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:6.
The Reading
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6
- 07
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Seventh Day of Advent
Yesterday I took a short walk around the block, just me, no one in tow. The weather, for December, 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, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:1.
The Reading
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1
- 05
- Dec
- 2025
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
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, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 9:5-6.
The Reading
“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