advent journal
I didn’t write yesterday because it was my birthday. I turned sixty-two. If my father were still alive, he would have told me I was beginning my sixty-third year. I like both marking the accomplishment—and turning sixty-two is an accomplishment—and seeing it also as a beginning so
advent journal
Kenny Chesney followed me on Twitter this week. I have no idea why. But Kenny, if you’re reading this, would you mind promoting my books at your concerts? But seriously . . . I continue to be amazed by how we are connected. I met my friend Vijaya when we both were
advent journal
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (Luke 2:6 KJV) I first learned the story the same way Linus told it: in language so old that some of the words were forgotten or meanings had changed “the days
advent journal
We talked about Mary in church today, as I am sure many did. Growing up as a Baptist boy, I was not taught to hail Mary. In a theology that did not have much regard for women in general, Mary was little more than a holy container for the Christ-child.
advent journal
You’ve put up with a lot of poetry this week. Tonight I offer the words—and music—of others that moves me. The list is not exhaustive, but these are the ones that pulled me tonight. I noticed, as I got to the end of my selections, that they
advent journal
resounding there is no such thing as silence in the calm of any quiet you can hear hearts breaking dreams dying thanks giving sadness sounding hope harbinging losses mounting faith enduring love outlasting grief weighing grace pervading hands holding listen closely listen . . . for your name your name mine, too Peace,
advent journal
thank you note the certainty of cynicism has no room for gratitude power never says thank you we are a culture short on courage and long on loud to choose to be thankful requires the tenacity of a heart broken open and willing to sit silently on a starlight night
advent journal
two-lane life is a road but not the interstate think two-lane blacktop that hits all the lights intentional inconvenience that makes you stop in soul food cafés filling stations of the heart hurry is not on the menu the details of our days are not detours traveling together takes time
advent journal
missing a meal we have several mangers on our mantle nativities from around the world as though everyone showed up at once the Magi made the effort to bring incense and offerings; the shepherds came crashing in with stories of angels, but no one brought anything to eat (and that’
advent journal
When I was a boy living in Lusaka, Zambia, one of our neighbors was an American woman who had a large German Shepherd named Tammy. The dog was trained to sit in the middle of the front yard and look and sound menacing, since the woman was frightened of people
advent journal
Many years ago, Ginger asked me to write a story for the Christmas Eve service at North Community Church in Marshfield, Massachusetts. What came out was “A Faraway Christmas,” which I have posted here on several other Christmas Eves since. When we lived in Durham, I made a recording, along
advent journal
When we mark time by the liturgical calendar, we only count and number the four Sundays before Christmas, which means the fourth Sunday—tomorrow—doesn’t have a week to go with it. We have had days to stretch out with hope, peace, and joy, but love get the short