Category: A Season of Stillness

“OH, LES, THERE’S A PAINTING!” (ADVENT JOY)

My dad was a talented yet humble watercolor artist who often painted landscapes; over time, my mom found her new role as his creative assistant, learning to watch for interesting, “paintable” scenes. Dad would be driving through the countryside when Mom would suddenly exclaim,… Continue Reading ““OH, LES, THERE’S A PAINTING!” (ADVENT JOY)”

TURNING TOWARD

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the… Continue Reading “TURNING TOWARD”

THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MANGER

In days to comethe mountain of the Lord’s houseshall be established as the highest of the mountainsand shall be raised above the hills;all the nations shall stream to it.Many peoples shall come and say,“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,to the house… Continue Reading “THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MANGER”

ADVENT: A SEASON OF STILLNESS (AND SURPRISES?)

INTRODUCTION For the past several years, I have felt an increasingly deeper “Advent Ache,” an inner longing for more of God in Christ amid the heartache, worry, and sometimes despair of these days. This year, as I contemplated reflections for the season, I listed… Continue Reading “ADVENT: A SEASON OF STILLNESS (AND SURPRISES?)”