Holiday Season

Advent 2025 ~ Light

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Week 3 — Light

As Winterdark quickly approaches, I am, as ever, drawn to the light. Candlelight, twinkling lights, soft lamps. I want light but not harsh light. Not light that shocks the senses but, rather, I want light that warms you and invites you gently in to sit, rest, stay for a while. Light should gather you in, hold you close, and soothe the jagged, ragged edges caused by stress and anxiety and care.

When I am scared, I turn on the lights. When I am weary-worn, then I sidle up to the softest of it, to the candle flames and twinkling Christmas-tree glow. To the light of nostalgic cartoons and movies that remind me “what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown”.

As we head into the long dark that will give way to the growing day, I pray that you find your light this season—the light that will soothe your soul and warm your weary self. You are ever loved, dear one. May your Winterdark be blest as we bend toward the light.

Advent 2024 ~ Lingering

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Lingering

There is a distinctly Midwestern habit that no one can deny, and that is the tendency to linger. It is not only Midwestern but very Caribbean as well. I remember it from my childhood.

After-Sunday-dinner dozing in the lawn chairs on my grandmother’s porch while my mother lingered on with her inside at the kitchen table.

Lingering over Christmas dinners at a favorite restaurant with one of my favorite teachers and her family.

Our youth group leaders taking us out for late-night Wendy’s and then taking their time dropping us all home after Friday night youth group. Letting us linger on in the church bus together, chatting and laughing and singing our choir pieces. I often wasn’t home until midnight.

Now, as an adult, I find I have developed a surprisingly deep love for lingering.

It may be lingering in the foyer or on the front step of a house after an enjoyable get-together.

It might be loitering over cooling cups of coffee, loathe for such a delightful visit to end.

It is curling more tightly into a chair or couch in your reluctance to break the sweet spell of good company.

Or pulling an embrace closer, hating the idea of leaving their solid or gentle warmth behind.

This is the season for lingering. For remaining in the quiet moments when you choose to rest. Tarrying in the snuggles of children, partners, and furry friends. Taking long moments in the soothing glow of twinkle lights.

It is for pausing, bundled up, on the porch to enjoy the beautifully profound quiet of a snowfall.

We linger in the ringing notes of a Noel as it hangs, ethereal, in the air above our heads.

As we wait in the glimmer of candles and lights, may we reach for the hand of a cherished one nearby. Even a silent, sweet gesture is still Love.

Love still lingers in fewer gifts.

Love still lingers in perhaps a lessening of those gathered around the dinner table. 

Love still lingers in the simple invitation to sit and be.

In this Advent season, let’s remain in the love born and given to us in the humblest of means. May we linger in the truth that we are not alone, that we are loved.

Let us linger in the quiet, peaceful moments, however rare. May we hold them ever closer and treasure them as they deserve.