“… where is my treasure? Answering this question will tell us if we are ready to say yes to Jesus. As he said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

“In these days that seems so dark, I think the spirit of history is still leading us and guiding us — I believe in that. Call it what you may, but I believe that somehow, in some way, good is going to prevail. And out of some of the darkest hours, there will be daybreak. There will be light. And we will get there. You have to believe it. You have to believe in your guts that it’s going to be OK.” - John Lewis

“All we really know when we enter a new year is that it won’t all be good or all bad, all happiness or all sorrow. Whatever happens, I hope you will continue to experience the wonder of Christmas. May your year will be filled with moments of joy, glimmers of light and love that endures.”

“…each year on December 26 or 28, I read Howard Thurman’s poem, The Work of Christmas, to remind myself what it is we Christians are called to do as followers of the Word made flesh.”

“As we transition from Advent to Christmas, let me share Schulte’s full poem. She doesn’t give into the romance of Christmas. Quite the opposite, through the experience of Mary she invites us to see the true miracle of God becoming one with us in Jesus.”

“…waiting in Advent becomes a microcosm of waiting in life. These days in December remind us that “every time is a time of waiting.” Waiting in Advent teaches us to practice patience, to make time to breathe, to accept occasional boredom as a gift, to find joy in our hope for the promise yet to be fulfilled. “

“Joy reminds. Not necessarily of better days, though this may be the case. Joy reminds us that, whatever we’re feeling today, in the past we have been loved and blessed by another. We have laughed and celebrated. We have experienced gladness and delight. These memories of past joy can, perhaps, spark joy in the present and give us hope for renewed joy in the future.”

“…we can reinterpret the story of Advent. It is not about power but about life, the divine life that flows from before time to the end of time. The divine life which was embodied in Jesus. The never-ending flow of grace, love and blessing which God offers us and all of creation.”