Prophet {Advent Day 21}

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah the prophet. Speaking these words 700 years before Christ’s birth. A long wait for our: Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father […]

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Good News {Advent Day 20}

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will […]

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Patient {Advent Day 19}

She is patient when her daughter has to consider all options before making a decision. She is patient with a household that is ten times noisier and multitudes more disorganized than her own. She teaches me the value of calmness and waiting and letting go of that which I can not control. She serves. Over […]

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Mercy {Advent Day 18}

My son’s cub scout pack went caroling at a local nursing home tonight. Young voices. Aged faces. Together sharing space. A moment. Memories and stories I long to know. Questions from the back seat on the way home: “Why were there so many people there?” “What is Alzheimer’s?” “Did you know two people die every […]

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Free {Advent Day 17}

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, […]

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Birthday Words

To Robbie on the occasion of your 44th Birthday Fifteen years ago, my roommate and I threw a birthday party for you. Your laugh filled our house and your joy at life was contagious. It was the beginning of me falling in love with you. No, I think that was already happening. It was my […]

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Strong {Advent Day 16}

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness […]

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Rejoice {Advent Day 15}

  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard […]

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Gather {Advent Day 14}

“for Christ plays in ten thousand places.” -Gerard Manly Hopkins Oh, the faces that have gathered around this table. From Boston to Minnesota. To Seattle and now in Western PA. The stories that have been shared in community. Slowly eating and drinking. Offering our brokeness and our gifts. Gathered together. Sometimes with not much in […]

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Justice {Advent Day 13}

“He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:6 There will be a day when evil is destroyed. Completley. The justice of our cause will shine brightly. Knocking out darkness. Until then, may we be part of the dawn seeping into […]

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Hope {Advent Day 12}

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 Hope. It is one of my words. One I have clung to. One that has been a small ray of light when all that surrounds me is darkness. And that small ray is more than enough to conquer the dark. […]

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Steadfast {Advent Day 11}

She would have been 98 this month. One of my most vivid memories of her is sitting in her recliner, magnifying glass in hand, reading her bible. This bible. Having my grandmother’s bible is a treasure. I hold it in my hands and I wonder how many prayers have been said holding it. How many […]

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