christmas
-
Christmas, Day 9
Hold my hand,for I am frightened:what if, just this once,Christmas doesn't come? We draw toward midnight;our candles burn low.How do we continueif Christmas doesn't come? The clock strikes the hour,the earth sighs beneath us–a sigh of sweet relief.Christmas has come.… Continue reading
-
Christmas, Day 8
Small-town downtown,Christmas Eve:stores close at 5:00 PM– less competitive spirit, more desire for all all to be home, to have this evening with family and friends, perhaps to bask in the warmth of a candlelit service, … Continue reading
-
Christmas, Day 7
Christmas ran fast this year. We saw her coming,quickly shaved, showered and dressed,stood by the dusty roadside and waited,expecting to cheer and hoot and holler–and zip—she was there and gone. We returned homeand climbed back into our sweats,grabbed a six-pack,flipped… Continue reading
-
Christmas, Day 6
The Christmas bells? They slowly dim.We find less need to think of him. Our dancing slows to weary shuffles,and merry bells our shuffling muffles. "Ding! Sing!" try the bells once more,but we are dressed and out the door. Text and… Continue reading
-
Christmas, Day 5
Merry Christmas to you, my tiny new one.Did you know that God also got him a son? His name is Jesus, who humbly was borna long time ago on a bright winter mornin a land far away in a town near… Continue reading
-
Christmas, Day 3
Nine years ago this day,mother willed herself away. Grief blinded us to this gift,which she had so carefully wrappedand presented, privately, to herself. Guilt blinded us to this tender exchangeas spirit said to soul,"Here, for you…that best of gifts,the one… Continue reading
-
Christmas, Day 2
"Christ did not come into the world for gold." –Bartalome de Las Casas (1484-1566) Christ has not come for power.Christ has not come for gold.Christ has not come for fame.Christ has not come to shame or scold. Christ has… Continue reading
-
The Christmas Story
Today is Christmas. Today we honor a child born ages ago, a child of most meager means. This child shall be a new kind of king–an unheard-of and completely misunderstood king. Don't miss the irony in this: This king cannot survive… Continue reading
-
For Christmas Eve
At Christmastimewe strive to findsome cause for hope,some peace of mind. Is it in the giftsor carols old,or in the snowand biting cold? Do we find it inour Christmas treesor unrestrictedspending sprees? Is it there in cocoaand candy canes,in children's… Continue reading
-
Christmas Reflection
Most of us have all we need;on this I'm guessing we agree. So why the harried rush to spendas if on this our peace depends? For that which causes hearts to lift is more the giver, not the gift. Be still… Continue reading