Hope you’re having a great day, and all your preparations for Christmas are behind you. Now, it’s time to relax and take it all in. We adults can sometimes really complicate things. This afternoon, let’s ponder this little reminder from Linus as to what these days are all about.
Last night, I taught my last fifth grade class until after New Year’s. To say that the kids were wound up would be an understatement, that’s for sure.
At the same time, it was great to be with them, and hear about all the traditions their families have.
One family always has a cheese souffle on Christmas morning. One has seafood on Christmas Eve. Another always travels to Michigan on Christmas night, arriving about twelve hours later (those poor parents).
If you were in a Catholic Church today, you heard the story of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), where the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.
Talking about a whopper of a conversation! In the end, however, Mary’s yes set the stage for an event that would radically change the world forever.
Earlier today, I was reminded of the song Gabriel’s Message, sung by Sting for a Christmas album several years ago. Unfortunately, my favorite image of the Annunciation (this one above), painted by Fra Angelico and residing in the Diocesan Museum in Cortona, Italy, wasn’t used in this video clip below.
I took off a little early today, and thought it wise to try and make a stop at the grocery store before all heck broke loose.
It looked like I missed the mark by about an hour. The isles were crowded, the check-out lines were long. I didn’t see too many smiling faces as I moved through the store.
Hope you’re having a relaxing Sunday. It’s been a busy one for me, and I’ve got two more things on the agenda. First, I’ve got to get a corn casserole in the oven soon, since it’s due to be served up at a Thanksgiving diner for the students at Mc Daniel college in a couple of hours.
After that, I have to race home and get a big batch of sloppy joe’s ready for my men’s group who will be here at 7:30. Well, anyone who knows me could tell you I love to cook, so I’m not complaining. In fact, I’m really looking forward to both gatherings 🙂
Now, on to Advent Conspiracy.
Today was a little gloomy in my neck of the woods. Kind of damp and cloudy, it was one of the those days where you want to just lay around and read a book.
Except it was Thursday, which meant work for most of us. Sorry, folks 🙁
No matter what, the leaves are slowly coming down and many of the trees in my area are now bare. Driving around today, I saw noticed that many trees were still in their glory. The red sugar maples were like fiery red torches. They were glorious.
I was at a conference yesterday, and I was listening to Neal Lozano talk about his book, The Older Brother Returns.
The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32 below) is one of the most powerful passages in Scripture. The first time I ever heard an emphasis on the older brother was in a book, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen.
Both authors remind us that the story, which we always thought was just about a wayward son returning home and how his father welcomed him home, was also about the self-righteous anger of the older brother.
One of my all time favorite poems is The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. Life is all about choices, and this wonderful poem captures the essence of our decisions. Which way to go?
The question could be asked about employment, relationships, finances, etc. It could also be asked for the most simple of situations, like, truly, which path the take at the nature center.
I’m always a little disappointed when I’m on vacation and it rains. Especially when the vacation is in Southern California, which hardly ever gets rain.
My mom and I are heading out early for a little shopping excursion, hoping to beat the worst of it, which is supposed to come in this afternoon. A whole inch in five hours. That’s a lot for this area, and I’ve been told it’s best to stay off the roads. People just don’t handle rain well around here.
Last night was the first night teaching my fifth grade class. Before we finished the year this past May, I made the decision to move up with my fourth graders, and I was really grateful that just about everyone signed up to have me be their teacher again.
Yesterday was like a family reunion, and we had so much fun, just talking and learning. We bonded very well last year, and I think that will only continue. I can’t wait to see it happen.