The "Advil" time of year

I heard a story this year at a Christmas Eve eve service. 
     "A little boy was asked if he knew what the name was for this special time of the year.
     He quickly replied, Of course, it's called Advil." 
What he meant was Advent, but there was still some truth to his answer.

We get busy ... dare I say overwhelmed with all that needs to be done and all that we think needs to be done.  There are trees, decorations and lights to buy and put up. There are gifts to buy, wrap, and mail. Cards to write and address, and send.  Food to plan, make and serve. Then dishes to wash and more dishes to wash.  AND then we get to undo everything and put our house back to "normal."



LEFT: Adoration of the Shepherds - Lorenzo Lotto
RIGHT: Detail


I hope you had a little spare time to reflect, be still and enjoy.  Hopefully you heard from friends across the miles and enjoyed catching up. Perhaps you shared a text and picture of your Christmas with someone who cares. Maybe like me you sat quietly and enjoyed the centuries old Christmas carols played on a pipe organ and heard the telling of the Christmas story once again.


I also got to experience the beauty of the Christmas story in art this season.  My friend, Sara, shared a "new" (to me) old painting that has a very special appeal.  I'm passing it on to you.  I hope you appreciate and enjoy it too.


Stay tuned...it just might become one of my paintings next year. I have a vision for this one.

It's a Miracle!

Last year at Christmastime, I experienced a very special Christmas miracle.  After living in my house for 8 years, I saw for the first time a beautiful silhouette "posted" on my wall.  I looked and looked and never saw it again. It happened just one time...and that's part of what made it so special. I couldn't explain it or figure it out. With the angle of the sun in the winter, it shouldn't have happened. I couldn't predict it. Nor could I re-create it.    It was beautiful and it came at a time when I was struggling. It was just for me!


                           2013                                                               2014


...December 12th 2014:  It happened again!  I must admit that this year I was looking for it.  As a matter of fact all  year long I have looked for ways that God breaks into my life.  I have been surprised over and over again.  Notice the difference?  Again I saw it only this one time.  I tried on other days, but it was not to be found.  That's okay.  I am glad it's not reoccurring or predictable.  It's more special to be surprised!

Au Naturale

A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed a wonderful morning at the Downing House here in Denver. I spent the time with like-minded women of faith and met and made some new friends. An extra bonus was that it was a beautiful day and the grounds are a sight to behold.  I actually walked up to this tree on the patio because I had to see if the "decorations" were real or not. They were so perfect but yet not like anything I had seen in a store.  I wondered where they got them.  I was almost surprised to that it was "au naturale" ... hand-decorated by the Creator.

NEVER LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY

FOR SEEING ANYTHING

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL;

FOR BEAUTY IS GOD'S HANDWRITING

--A WAYSIDE SACRAMENT.

WELCOME IT IN EVERY FAIR FACE,

IN EVERY FAIR SKY,

IN EVERY FAIR FLOWER,

AND THANK GOD FOR IT AS A CUP OF HIS BLESSING.

Ralph Waldo Emerson