Hijacked Christmas Presents

I chatted with my mom via FaceTime. Anticipation shone on her face. It was Christmas Eve and she was explaining what packages she’d received from me.  “I only sent one large envelope and one white box. Where’s the white box?” “I only have a white envelope and a manila envelope, but not a white box.”…

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The shortest day, the longest shadow.

It is the  astronomical winter solace, making it the shortest day of the year. Why in the world would a sun-lover like me be excited? Because tomorrow, the days only get longer. And eventually warmer.  At noon today, I will stand outside to see my longest cast shadow of the year. I expect questions to come to…

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Who is the God you know?

I’m listening to Emily P. Freeman’s The Quiet Collect for Advent. (You can download her app on your phone for free. The advent collection is for purchase). This morning, I listened to her devotional titled, “Magnificat,” which means, a canticle used in Christian liturgy, especially at vespers and evensong, the text being the hymn of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46–55). After Emily reads…

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A different kind of performance 

Readying for the holiday season, I decided that a “Magical Cirque Christmas” performance was in order. It was a different kind than I had seen before—not the typical Cirque du Soleil, where various acts happen at once. This show unfolded one performer at a time. I thought, This is strange—just watching one solo artist do her contortionist…

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