Advent

The Episcopal Church uses the colors purple/violet or blue as the liturgical color of Advent.  I grew up by the sea in a tiny southeastern North Carolina village.  Blue was the wintertime color of life there, at least in my child mind. Ultramarine ocean, cobalt river, and azure skies greeted my eyes almost every day …

The Color of Advent Read More »

“Hold on, wait… ok, slow down… just a second, wait!” I feel like my words are a giant, obnoxious, neon sign blaring against our modern Christmastime. I say them over and over again this time of year. In our house, the nativity gets put out first. Michael and I started collecting pieces to our set …

The Empty Trough Read More »

My mother made cookies. His made a gingerbread house. My family re-enacted the nativity story; his went Christmas caroling. My mother baked homemade goodies to deliver to neighbors; his packaged pecans from the family farm to distribute to friends. My family ate Christmas “dinner” (at 5 pm); his ate Christmas “lunch” (at 3 pm). My …

The Gift of Grace: One family’s attempt to marry traditions Read More »