Advent 2: Breaking Tradition

Last week I wrote about making this crazy Advent journey with no idea of what lies ahead. I certainly didn’t. Years ago I started lighting tree lights at night until Christmas day when Christmas was actually here. Then they stayed on all day until the tree came down. What is tradition? Our tradition is something someone decided sounded like a good idea at the time and did it enough times that it became Tradition. This year I am lighting the tree every morning. Not much of a break there.

But think about Mary ~ and Joseph ~ and all the others wrapped up in this Advent/Christmas journey. Talk about breaking with tradition! Deciding to make the journey in spite of what the world says they “should” do. Tradition can be both good and bad. It is up to us to decide for ourselves what path, what road, what journey to take. Blessings to you as you make the decision for your Advent journey. 

One of Those Phone Calls

I normally wake and get up around six. Normally. This morning at the dark of six, I was sound asleep. The phone rings. Jerk awake. Adrenaline flows as eyes realize the phone is ringing in the dark.

Hello? (Said in that creaky, raspy, first-word-in-the-morning voice. Question mark indicating, what’s wrong? Who’s sick? Do I need to pack to come?)

Concierge? (Question mark indicating disbelief that someone sounding like that could possibly be a concierge.)

Uh, no - this is a private residence.

Oh, uh, hmmmm, (tapering off into incoherent mumbling and hanging up.)

Adrenaline had started to fade instantly of course. Muscles were still crying out for having been so rudely wrenched awake. Gratitude that all is well with the family. Aware I could get up and that it is Saturday morning and there is no reason in the world for me to get up at six. Yay for that. Deep sigh and back to sleep for a while. Phew. 

Decorating Day

Today Kyle and I decorated the tree and a couple of places in the house. I did something I don't usually do and turned the lights on in the middle of the day. You can't really tell and it is very dark outside, storm clouds being rushed in by the wind that has been blowing all day. There's a little snow whipping around but no great accumulation yet. Kyle was a great help and he and I shared Christmas stories. I told more because the ornaments he was helping hang were mostly mine. Ornament stories were fun to share. It was also fun to have a decorating partner who enjoyed himself and was even willing to run to the store when we needed more lights.

Please, note the placement of the nativity scene on the table clustered within a large low branch of the tree. That thought came to me in the middle of the night last night. These figures were bought in the mid-60s during the Civil Rights Movement when African Americans in the South demanded work for dignity and a decent wage. They set up an arts community and sold this nativity among other things. It has graced some platform at Christmas every year since except last. I'm glad to have it out again in a very special place. 

Gold Star Grandson

Our oldest grandson, Kyle, is living with us for a while. It seems to be working out just fine. One night early in his stay, he loaded the dishwasher ~ and wow! he loads it just like I do. One gold star! Because his car is 2-wheel drive, when the weather is really bad, he takes my car and is the only person besides me who can guide it into the garage perfectly (tiny garage, big car) so that I can back it straight out. Two gold stars. 

What begin jokingly has suddenly become more serious as I have discovered all sorts of ways in which this young man is a delight to have around the house. 

Clean snow with dog poop off the deck - third gold star.

Bring in the Christmas tree - fourth gold star. 

Offer to help decorate said tree - fifth gold star (assuming it happens). 

Bring heavy items up the stairs - sixth gold star. 

We laugh about it and at the same time I mean the thanks and gratitude. 

Having an extra person suddenly living with you can be stressful and so far this gold star grandson has been easy and fine to have around. Oh - and for some really neat conversations, seventh gold star!

The First Sunday of Advent

My candles are in place, the Bible is open to a prophecy, and I have no idea what theme my Advent journey will take this year. Maybe I just let it be and see what happens. Pastor friend Kim Webster mentioned how crazy it is for Christians to anticipate and pray for peace and love and light in a world that is full of war, hate and darkness. And yet we do. That is what this Advent journey is all about, anticipating the birth of Light into a world of Darkness. I have never thought of it being a crazy journey but it is. Spiritually we travel these next four weeks with no assurances that there will be a place to stay when we get to the end. And certainly no palaces or cool hotel suites await us ~ only a back yard stable and the pain of birth. Never the less, we make the journey, somehow confident that at the end, Light will arrive and if necessary, we will make the journey all over again. Crazy? Yes. Amazing? Yes as well. Blessings on our way. 

Thanksgiving at Home

There were the three of us, Dean, me and our oldest grandson, Kyle, who is living with us for a while.  Three or 30, I am still very traditional about the Thanksgiving meal. Here are some pictures with a few things I learned this year.

A convection oven cooks much faster than a regular one. The 3 to 4 hour turkey took 2 1/2. Brunch anyone?

The oven bakes really well, the pie and the dressing were perfect. And a new oven (2014 model) keeps all the heat inside and doesn't heat the kitchen like the 35 year old oven we were using. 

The McKay men - grandson Kyle and Grandpa Dean. 

We ate early because Kyle had to go to south shore and work a party at the restaurant where he is employed. That left the buffet full of food which Dean and I enjoyed nibbling on all afternoon and into the early evening. It's in fridge now of course for feasting again tomorrow and/or Saturday. Leftovers are part of the tradition too, right?

It has been a lovely, gentle, easy day full of gratitude and giving thanks. Blessings to you all. 

Thanksgiving Blessings

I come to this Thanksgiving very concerned about my country and our loss of caring, compassion and respect for each other. Surely if we look closely enough, we can see Lady Liberty crying over our refusal to open our arms in welcome to the “huddled masses” of the world. 

And yet, I still come to this table giving grateful thanks for so much Light in spite of all the darkness that surrounds us. There are people and states who have laid out the welcome mat and said come in. Families of all faiths and cultures have gathered to share a meal and speak of love to one another. Volunteers have given time to staff tables and kitchens in homeless shelters and food pantries. Military personnel and their families have endured separation in a time when “harm’s way” can be anywhere. 

Churches and mosques and synagogues turn out whole congregations to support and protect and pray with each other when another is attacked or stricken or in peril. Hospital personnel are present, day after day, night after night, helping, healing, comforting. Parents hug their children, children hug their parents and eyes sparkle as bright lights and decorations begin to be displayed on lawns and trees. 

Why do we have to walk through this particularly dark valley right now? I have no idea. What I do know, and for which I am grateful today, is that we do not walk alone. We have each other. We have our faith, whatever that is. And, we do not stop and set up housekeeping in this place. The Light shall overcome this darkness. Terrorism shall fail. Fear will be dissipated and hope shall overcome. Random acts of kindness and very intentional acts of Love shall continue to spread through this world until one day we recognize that what holds us together is stronger than that which tries to separate us. In blessing and hope that we all grow in love ~ Happy Thanksgiving.