I decided, while walking and observing this sycamore in the fading light, that the winter solstice makes a much better day to celebrate a new year. The winter solstice in the northern hemisphere marks the shortest day of the year (or the day with the least sunlight and the longest night). In the southern hemisphere it is the longest day and the shortest night. For … [Read more...] about Winter solstice
Archives for December 2014
On the horizon
Pilgrimage. This blog began with a pilgrimage almost seven years ago now. I walked from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh, PA, while learning the Gospel of John by heart....a journey of more than 300 miles. When I returned, I began to reflect on the journey by posting on this blog (here are my reflections) not only to tell stories about the physical journey, but to write about … [Read more...] about On the horizon
Festivals and such
Tonight begins the Festival of Lights or Chanukah, the Jewish celebration of the rededication of the second Temple at the time of the Maccabean revolt in the 2nd century BCE. Compared to the Festival of Lights, our family's recent gathering, which we called the "Festival of Stuffed Things," sounds much less spiritual and much more gluttonous, doesn't it? There is no doubt … [Read more...] about Festivals and such
When we are honest
I am falling in love with the psalms. I even have been trying to preach about them (or with them) through Advent this year. Why? They can be so fascinatingly and provocatively honest! Unfortunately, sometimes when we pray we think we have to be polite to God. Perhaps we have been sucked into the idea that it helps to get your point across if you sugar-coat it a bit? … [Read more...] about When we are honest