I love all this hope! Today’s writing really touched my heart. Especially the last part. I just started an internship as a hospital chaplain. I may not always comment, but I am reading and reflecting on your words. May Christ’s Christmas light continue to bless you and keep you.
I loved the Benediction too! My tree is still up, I've enjoyed it so much, and it is always such a joy to unpack those treasures. Now I just need to wrap them in tissue and pack them up in anticipation of them seeming bright and new to me again in a few months. I will do it with some extra hope this year. Thank you.
This resonates with me so much. I have not taken down our Christmas treasures. Our tree is only half lit because half of the lights have gone out. But each day, I plug it in and remember to HOPE. There is even hope when the light seems dim. While preparing for Advent prayer with a group of friends, I came across the prayer by Howard Thurman. I will hold onto those words. Thankful for this gift you bring us, Marcie. Shalom.
I absolutely adore this and it’s literally like you are inside my head! I have the same thoughts every year as we take the ornaments off the tree and put them back lovingly and carefully in their little cubbies, that we’ve collected for the past 38 years along with so many decorations, creches, Santa figurines we’ve also collected along the way. It feels like putting away joy. But mainly I always wonder what will have changed in my life, in my family, in the world, by the time we open these boxes again at the beginning of December. Who will no longer be with us? Will anything change in the health of family members or myself? What new crisis will be in the world? And now for the second year, will Covid still be holding our lives hostage? And as it so happens, as is always my practice, today is the day I’m doing this job. My grandmother always kept everything up until her birthday on Jan. 8 so for most of my married life I have done the same thing. I’ve never liked the idea of putting things away right after Christmas (the 12 days start on Christmas Day!) so having a purposeful date feels good. Plus, it helps bring her close to me. Thanks again for writing down these thoughts. It’s so wonderful to read them today of all days!
Also, the poem by Howard Thurman has been one of my favorites for so long and one I read many times as the season of Christmas ends. Again, you’re in my head! ❤️
Collecting Christmas books is such a wonderful thing to do! I have four books with Christmas themes that we’ve received as gifts (including a children’s book of the story of Jesus’ birth my oldest daughter used to read to all of us on Christmas Eve when my girls were kids) that I display but having a whole bunch place around with other decorations would be beautiful!
I love all this hope! Today’s writing really touched my heart. Especially the last part. I just started an internship as a hospital chaplain. I may not always comment, but I am reading and reflecting on your words. May Christ’s Christmas light continue to bless you and keep you.
Awwww…. Bless the work you are doing and thank you for just reading. It is enough.
Thank you for this! I
Thank you for your presence!!!
Woah! I love thinking about how there is a ritual of hope in our saving and storing the decorations for next year.
Thank you for sharing that Benediction.
Sigh, I just adore Howard Thurman. Did you know that he loved painting penguins in his free time? What a gentle spirit.
I loved the Benediction too! My tree is still up, I've enjoyed it so much, and it is always such a joy to unpack those treasures. Now I just need to wrap them in tissue and pack them up in anticipation of them seeming bright and new to me again in a few months. I will do it with some extra hope this year. Thank you.
🖤
Thank you for your beautiful words pointing me to hope. I need that.
Ahhh beautiful! Thank you so much! HOPE
This resonates with me so much. I have not taken down our Christmas treasures. Our tree is only half lit because half of the lights have gone out. But each day, I plug it in and remember to HOPE. There is even hope when the light seems dim. While preparing for Advent prayer with a group of friends, I came across the prayer by Howard Thurman. I will hold onto those words. Thankful for this gift you bring us, Marcie. Shalom.
Shalom, friend 🖤
I absolutely adore this and it’s literally like you are inside my head! I have the same thoughts every year as we take the ornaments off the tree and put them back lovingly and carefully in their little cubbies, that we’ve collected for the past 38 years along with so many decorations, creches, Santa figurines we’ve also collected along the way. It feels like putting away joy. But mainly I always wonder what will have changed in my life, in my family, in the world, by the time we open these boxes again at the beginning of December. Who will no longer be with us? Will anything change in the health of family members or myself? What new crisis will be in the world? And now for the second year, will Covid still be holding our lives hostage? And as it so happens, as is always my practice, today is the day I’m doing this job. My grandmother always kept everything up until her birthday on Jan. 8 so for most of my married life I have done the same thing. I’ve never liked the idea of putting things away right after Christmas (the 12 days start on Christmas Day!) so having a purposeful date feels good. Plus, it helps bring her close to me. Thanks again for writing down these thoughts. It’s so wonderful to read them today of all days!
Also, the poem by Howard Thurman has been one of my favorites for so long and one I read many times as the season of Christmas ends. Again, you’re in my head! ❤️
I don’t collect Santa figurines but I do collect Christmas books but only for the past few years not 38.
Collecting Christmas books is such a wonderful thing to do! I have four books with Christmas themes that we’ve received as gifts (including a children’s book of the story of Jesus’ birth my oldest daughter used to read to all of us on Christmas Eve when my girls were kids) that I display but having a whole bunch place around with other decorations would be beautiful!
Uh-oh, I apologize in advance for introducing you to a new obsession 😂🥰🎄
😂😂😂