Advent is a lot like Curling - Really!

“’Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” -Mark 1:3b

Curling looks like fun. I've personally only done it twice. But if you've ever watched the Winter Olympics in the wee hours of the morning you have an idea how it works. Two teams alternate throwing large polished granite stones down a sheet of ice. After each stone is thrown "sweepers” use curling brooms to help shape the path it will follow. The sweepers are entirely focused on preparing the way.

In today's text John was entirely focused on preparing the way for Jesus,
calling people to repentance and announcing the forgiveness of sin. Our world still needs to see and hear Jesus. No doubt we need sweepers who will clear the path so that people can welcome our Lord! God, help us to join in the work of making straight the path so that nothing will hinder the Good News of Jesus...

Curling for Jesus! I love it.
GHT

(Inspired by a devotional at Fresno.edu online)

I Love Advent!

I love Advent. I love the Advent wreath. I love the Advent calendar (especially if it’s chocolate). I really love the music. ...I’m humming Handel’s Messiah while I’m writing this. But most of all I love the hopefulness of it.

This time of year, we’re preparing for the end of the term and hoping for a positive outcome. We’re preparing for holiday celebrations and shopping, hoping our selections are appreciated. After the preparation of Advent, we get the joys of Christmas. And it does comfort me, after this month of preparation and hope to get to celebrate the miraculous birth at the end. Just like after our lives of preparation and hope we get to celebrate our miraculous birth to ever-lasting life.

From Creighton University Daily Reflections.

I love advent too!
GHT

Christmas Kept is Liable to Mold

"Let me not wrap, stack, box, bag, tie, tag, bundle, seal, keep Christmas.

Christmas kept is liable to mold.

Let me give Christmas away, unwrapped, by exuberant armfuls. Let me share, dance, live Christmas unpretentiously, merrily, responsibly with overflowing hands, tireless steps and sparkling eyes.

Christmas given away will stay fresh—even until it comes again."

Linda Felver, A Book of Christmas

True.
GHT