Winter Wonderland!

For one young member of our household, the waiting is over! Beloved snow has arrived. Time to dig out more gear and prepare for longer commutes.

But the beautiful white blanket covering up the brown?! Definitely a spark of joy...

Trimmed and Burning

Alice's choir sang a spiritual today titled "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning."  It's an old spiritual that, in our church, is usually sung at some point in Advent:

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, for this work is almost done.
Children, don't get weary, for this work is almost done.
Darker midnight lies before us, for this work is almost done.
Lo, the morning soon is breaking, for this work is almost done.

I found myself thinking of the many painful events that have been playing out locally, nationally and internationally.  The violence that seems to keep rocking our world - and my own feelings of helplessness and uncertainty.  I am trying to subvert my own desire to solve or fix, and instead cultivate more listening and understanding, and at some point some action.  No turning away.  Don't get weary, even if a darker midnight lies before us.

I am also trying to lean into the true good - the lucky life I have filled with friends and family.  In this weekend of festive occasions, I tried to be present, because I truly do believe that being in the moment with loved ones is an important art and also, if we're not careful, somewhat of a lost art. 

I mentioned that this year's blog will be about finding the things that Spark Joy.  I am truly unprepared this time around so I am not entirely certain what's ahead.  As usual, I have a few ideas rolling around in my head.  The four themes of advent -- hope, peace, joy and love -- will be raised up.  And sometimes I'll have things to say about what sparks joy, and other times, I'll share some images that spark joy.  And I will definitely be soliciting some guest appearances as well. 

Looking forward to sharing this special "getting ready time" with you -- whether you are getting ready for the New Year, a new start, a holiday, or newness of any kind.

More to come!