An Advent for Kelsey
Beginning the second Sunday of Advent

Meet my friend Kelsey. What I love about our friendship is that we get right down to the core of things. Kelsey and I talk faith. I love to hear about her thoughts and experiences. When Jake and I were in Michigan for Thanksgiving, we went to church with her, and her man Nick. (So sorry I'm not photogenic, Kels). Their church would not be categorized as worshiping in a liturgical style--but I have noticed their observance of some liturgical seasons. It's really beautiful. Clearly I don't think we are mandated to worship in one way or another, but celebrating the church calendar and daily liturgy adds a richness to my faith that I wish more friends could experience. It's cool to see how different churches incorporate liturgy in their own way.

Moving right along ... last Sunday Kelsey's pastor gave a beautiful talk about seasons being the rhythm God designed to bring music into our life. I whispered that Advent is my all-time favorite season and Kelsey asked why.

1. The most basic reason is because celebrating the birth of Jesus means so much more to me when I take a whole month to anticipate it. When I look at the need for a Saviour in our world. A whole month of longing ends in the bright coming of a King!

2. Also, Advent is a breath of fresh, spiritual air when folks are burdened by the unnatural, commercial stretching of Christmas.


It got me thinking. People love to count down to things. Religious or not. And for anyone who celebrates Christmas, isn't most of the excitement in the counting down of days?

When Jake and I read the Bible together, we use this book. It teaches us how to incorporate the church calendar and seasons of liturgy into our daily life. I'm incredibly thankful for the daily meditations and thoughts the books lends. So I'd like to just share one with you right now, from page 54:

" Week Two of Advent, beginning the Sunday between December 4 and 10

We lament the sin and suffering in the world. We repent of any part we play in it. And then we exercise hope. 

Romans 8:22-25

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. "

It is evident that the season is upon us. Happy Advent!

When the gloom hits hard, I hit hard back.

With gingerbread coffee, a cozy outfit, a painting project, and as many candles as possible.


Hello winter, we're going to make this work.

Florence will mediate.

Where did the month go?

Beside the fact that the passing of time freaks me out to the bone ... I know my months are filled with wonderful things, even if I can't bring them all to mind. So in an effort to remember, I'm going to reflect on this month. I'm excited to see what I remember most and what I don't.

- November began with our anniversary. (On our way home, I saw Milwaukee for the first time.)
- Pumpkin bread pudding entered my life this month. No pretty picture on a plate, we ate it straight out of the pan.
- John and Glenna hosted a "tamale tuesday."
- There were plenty of invigorating retreats, meetings and formations for work, which got my mind swirling.
- We were in Michigan twice. The first to see Brian in his musical (breathtaking) and the second time for - Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday of all).
- It took us twice the time it usually takes to drive to Michigan for the holiday.
- We spent plenty of time with grandma and grandpa.
- We dined high-class with friends downtown.
- Food poisoning hit Jake hard and we almost went to the hospital (no photos).
- Grandpa and a few friends did go to the hospital. Prayers abound.
- And November saw many lovely landscapes.

Farewell, November.

And thanks.

Intangible  T  h  a  n  k  s  .

#4. Grace.

I believe and know that Jesus paid the price of my human faults.
I believe Jesus is all I need, He is my way to eternity with God.
I know, as much as life sanctifies me, I will never be perfect.
I am so thankful God knows that, too.
I am thankful that I don't have to do anything or be anything, in order to be with my God. Our God extended His grace to forgive us, because He knew it was the only way.
Jesus paid it all.

"Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. 

No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. ...

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets."

Colossians 2:11-15, The Message Bible

Intangible  T  h  a  n  k  s  .

#3. Access.


I am a white, middle-class, educated, citizen of the USA*. Some of that is due to hard work, some due to genetics and some due to the fact that I have access to resources.

I am only beginning to learn about what it means to be these things in our country, especially a city. There is a lot more to discover. Today, I know I am privileged, I have access to the world, and for that I am thankful.

I know that because of my demographics, I have a stronger voice than many others and I plan to use that voice to advocate. I don't wish I had more voice and access. But because this is the way things are, my gift of access is in debt to my brothers and sisters.

Cultural and ethnic natures are a rich contribution to our human family. I am so thankful for the things I learn from people who are different than me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

* I don't call anything that is specific to our nation American, because I feel like I'm excluding Canada and Latin America. It does slip out sometimes. And of course I don't judge those who use this phrase. It's a personal choice.