“In these days that seems so dark, I think the spirit of history is still leading us and guiding us — I believe in that. Call it what you may, but I believe that somehow, in some way, good is going to prevail. And out of some of the darkest hours, there will be daybreak. There will be light. And we will get there. You have to believe it. You have to believe in your guts that it’s going to be OK.” - John Lewis

“All we really know when we enter a new year is that it won’t all be good or all bad, all happiness or all sorrow. Whatever happens, I hope you will continue to experience the wonder of Christmas. May your year will be filled with moments of joy, glimmers of light and love that endures.”

“…each year on December 26 or 28, I read Howard Thurman’s poem, The Work of Christmas, to remind myself what it is we Christians are called to do as followers of the Word made flesh.”

“As we transition from Advent to Christmas, let me share Schulte’s full poem. She doesn’t give into the romance of Christmas. Quite the opposite, through the experience of Mary she invites us to see the true miracle of God becoming one with us in Jesus.”

“…waiting in Advent becomes a microcosm of waiting in life. These days in December remind us that “every time is a time of waiting.” Waiting in Advent teaches us to practice patience, to make time to breathe, to accept occasional boredom as a gift, to find joy in our hope for the promise yet to be fulfilled. “

“Joy reminds. Not necessarily of better days, though this may be the case. Joy reminds us that, whatever we’re feeling today, in the past we have been loved and blessed by another. We have laughed and celebrated. We have experienced gladness and delight. These memories of past joy can, perhaps, spark joy in the present and give us hope for renewed joy in the future.”

“…we can reinterpret the story of Advent. It is not about power but about life, the divine life that flows from before time to the end of time. The divine life which was embodied in Jesus. The never-ending flow of grace, love and blessing which God offers us and all of creation.”

“What if we decide during the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons to practice “the noble art of leaving things undone”? What if we prioritize our list of tasks, focus on the most essential, and let go of everything else? Would we really lose anything? Might we instead gain something more important?”

“The many people of genuine humility I meet day in and day out, those who remind me that generalizations about society often don’t fit the particular people who walk through this life with me. Perhaps it’s one of the best arguments for the importance of participating in an authentically accepting and loving church community. A diverse faith community that cares for and about the world, encourages me to focus not solely on my life but on the lives of others. “

“Whether someone you love died recently or many years ago. Whether today you are anticipating the death of a loved one or you are feeling your own mortality. Look to the horizon. Set yourself intentionally in the liminal space which already flows around you. Remember that you and all those you love are linked forever by the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“…I found comfort in the reminder that in God there is plenteous redemption, that no matter how long the wait, God is always merciful.”

“This is joy. See it. Appreciate it. Be grateful for it. And then kiss it as it flies.”

“This is not an exhaustive list (of Podcast suggestions), but these are the ones to which I listen regularly. If you have podcasts to recommend, please let me know. I’m always looking for more.”

“In scripture, angels generally appear not to guard but to deliver a message. The message is almost always some version of ‘Don’t be afraid. You are not alone. God is with you. Keep going.’ While these angelic visits do not guard those who are visited, they do gird them by providing power and strength for the journey.”

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity: in the habitations of thy majesty and glory, world without end. Amen.

“We all can name personal days of infamy. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the day we heard the diagnosis that changed the course of our life. The moment we realize we can no longer protect our children or discover our loved one with dementia no longer recognizes us….”

“Joy is not only good for our well-being, but it is also at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry. I came into the world, Jesus told his disciples, “so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)”

“love is not restricted to married couples. Siblings, friends, neighbors, chosen family. If we have people who show up for us when life is hard and celebrate with us when life is good, we know what it is to receive this love. If we have people for whom we show up to console in tough times and to rejoice in good times, we know what it is to give this love. To have even one relationship like this is a blessing. To have two or three is an abundance.”

“Where we too often see scarcity, God sees abundance. Where we see people in need, God sees people with gifts. When we see as God sees and live according to that vision, we become witnesses for Christ and participate in the transformation of the world.”