Advent Calendar 2014 Week 1

Here is the first week of my Advent tree calendar. On this calendar I pray for people and places–for healing, in gratitude, for restoration. I doodle, pray with words, let go of words, doodle, listen, pray more words if they come, and generally, try to be...

Advent Wreath–It’s Not too Late

I’m a real fan of hodgepodge/homegrown Advent wreaths. Ever since I failed a couple of decades ago at weaving and wiring greenery into a metal ring in a church basement, I have given up using prefabricated frames. Now I use four random candle holders and...

Progressive Crèche and Naughty Animals

I love setting up the crèche in early December with only the animals and shepherds. We use rosemary and thyme clippings plus some holly branches and evergreens from our yard to create a stable effect. Mary and Joseph are nowhere near the manger. They either hide out...

Advent Paradox

Advent is not just the waiting and watching we do in December as we prepare for the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent is the training ground for how to live as watchful, expectant people the entire year. Expectancy (as I’ve said in other posts) is...