Epiphany and Me

You, Lord, are my light; you dispel my darkness.

2 Samuel 22:29

 Photo by Lewis Larrson

image from Wikipedia

Epiphany, she slipped in unbeknownst to me. I didn't notice her arrival. I only noticed her presence. I knew not how long she would stay. Would she go away? She said, "Only if you banish me, will I go away. I am for all. I am for you. Let me shine through and through." And so she floods my mornings and my nights. Epiphany, she gives me sight. Epiphany, she lets in the Light.

Light

The Egyptians could not see each other, and no one left their house during that time. But the Israelites had light where they were living.  Exodus 10:23

He sends light to places dark as death. Job 12:22

There are those who reject the light; they don't understand it or where it goes. Job 24:13

The LORD is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The LORD protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.  Psalm 27:1

You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light. Psalm 36:9

The explanation of your teachings gives light and brings wisdom to the ignorant. Psalm 119:130

No longer will the sun be your light by day Or the moon be your light by night; I, the LORD, will be your eternal light; The light of my glory will shine on you. Isaiah 60:19

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. John 1:5

Happy New Year!

My prayer is that 2013 is filled with abundance.

His joy, peace and hope. 

Holding fast to each other and His promises. 

 You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.

Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

~ Isaiah 26

Favorite Advent Moments

Lighting the Night

Isn't he the cutest elf ever?

Working hard this month to embrace one another in both tough and tender moments.

Gaining confidence and courage through pageantry.

The biggest elf begins work. I went to bed at midnight. He at 3 am!

Quiet Christmas moments.

Wishing for this, but grateful for whatever God bestows.

New boots and new books.

Capturing the moments. Savoring.

Advent Birthing

Because Advent is about waiting and Advent is about birthing. As the New Year approaches, may what has been birthed in you this Advent blossom.

Advent Birthing

In the manger, dark and deep
there lies a babe, who cannot sleep.

The animals sing a song of warmth.
Breath hangs in the air.
Life hums.

The babe, does he know?
Does his sweet face show?

He, the hope of all.

His mama sings a lullaby.
She knows. 

Yes, she knows.

This babe, her babe, is gift to man.

All men.

Every man.

She snuggles him close.
She'll cherish his days, his cries
his laughter, and his sighs.

Waiting is over. 

Expectations and hopes met.

Fulfilled every moment.

Full.

 
No longer pregnant with expectation, but birth.
Life. Breath. Hope.
Reality.

He grasps her finger.
He reaches out.
He will grip them.

They grasp. 

But will they grasp Him?

His fingers extend to the world.
Healing in his touch.

 Miracles occurring in the darkness.

And out of the dark shines light.

The day is beginning. 

Dawn rising bright.
 

Hope of all life.

Grasp Him.

A poem written last year for our piano teacher's Christmas birthed newborn son.

Dad's Toy Shop

A darling story about the joy of a Christmas filled with togetherness.

Each year about this time, I try to make myself scarce! Dad's toy workshop is about to begin in our garage. Simple gifts flow from that space, but not without an abundance of complications, groans, and laughs. The kids each gift each other with something dad and they have made for the other. The anticipation for these gifts builds for months and it's great fun.

However, I am NOT a crafty person. Therefore, I'm thrilled when I find a craft that is fun, easy to do, and turns out as promised! We've enjoyed these lovely ballerinas.

Snowflake ballerinas

We are also working on a wee bit of painting.

Here's a fun idea.

Cooking roasted chestnuts tonight after enjoying some yummy ones last night at the 100 Candle Solstice Dinner. 

I hope to make these soon, Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls. 

Happy crafting and cooking!

One Hundred Shining Candles

Eating by candlelight tonight

Winter Solstice 

by sister

Winter solstice, dark and gray.

Shortest day.

A hundred candles light the way.

This is winter solstice day. 

Reading

One Hundred Shining Candles

The Winter Solstice

The Shortest Day

 Praying

Dear Lord, 

In vain, men have tried to dance away the darkness. Only the veil torn in two, dispels the dark. Please send our Saviour soon. 

Love, 

Your Children

Advent Bookends: A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy

Today small Peter gave Tommy light for light.

Waking up this morning, I found myself in Isaiah 22. Harsh soul scraping words. The wood man was up and pondering the Sermon on the Mount. During the day, I found myself trying to merge these two passages and understand what they mean. Can we be called to both weep and wail and also hold onto hope that those who mourn shall be comforted? 

This evening we stayed home from a community commitment. Something had to give, and unfortunately tonight it was that commitment. Sometimes, big and little bodies need stillness and rest.

Sitting by the fire, I picked up A Tree for Peter and began to read out loud. We finished the book in one sitting. I desperately needed to be reminded that in the midst of tears and trouble all around us we can and should build.  

A Tree for Peter reminds us of the miracle of Christ in the worst of circumstances and reminds us that every community has great capacity to create and build. God is at work in the world and He wants us to be as well. In the midst of mourning, we are to be builders of that which will last. We are to bring His hope, joy, and healing to our hurting world.

And deep down inside him another dream was forming; he was groping for that, to give it to his mother as a surprise. The dream had started while he watched the men who worked on the houses, while he stood listening to the strange men from the city called builders and engineers. They were the ones, he knew, who, with pencils and papers, with hammers and saws and paint, had made the sad, ugly houses into the white castles of his dream. He wanted to be like them; a man who could, with tools build a dream.... 

That was it. Small Peter laughed out loud, because now he had the surprise for his mother, all ready in words. He looked up at her and said, "When I grow up I am going to be a builder." 

She did not answer. She only looked at him and then at Pat. The smile on her face was beautiful to see. It was Pat who broke the smiling silence. "Faith, and what else could he be? He, with his little spade, building castles out of mud and dreaming them full of fine people...."

And small Peter reminds me of Isaiah 58:12
 
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Be a builder.