We put the tree up last night. While it was only December 7th, it felt incredibly late to me. I have been stressing about this tree, worrying that we wouldn’t even find the time this season to get one up. We’ve been so busy with new routines and schedules lately. There’s nothing on the tree…
Christmas
Entering into the Thin Place
It didn’t take me long to realize that the wait is better. December 26th would hit, and so would the let-down. I had waited all year for that one day, expecting it to be the best day ever! and it would already be over. I had another 365 days to wait for the next best day ever! I couldn’t…
The Worst Christmas Present Ever (Or, That Time No One Knew How Strong I Really Was)
Gavin asked Santa for Netflix on his Nintendo DS. (And here is where I say that this is one of my Netflix blog posts, written because I am a StreamTeam blogger but is actually a hilarious story I would have told regardless of whether I was sponsored by Netflix or not, so just keep reading!) It…
It’s Like Being an Adult at Christmas
I know that Christmas can be a hard season for anyone over the age of 10. As a kid, Christmas is a day full to the brim with the wonder of newness and excitement and surprises and magic. But as we age, expectation slowly starts creeping in, fogging the light that is that Christmas wonder….
When Holidays are Hectic
Christmas may be over, but the holidays are still in full force. School doesn’t go back for us until Monday which means bedtimes are still a little lax. And while our tree is still trimmed and will be until Epiphany, many a person on my social media streams have already taken theirs down. Still, no…
The Best Traditions
“No one thinks Thanksgiving is the best holiday.” My sister was setting the table a couple of weekends ago in preparation for our family’s turkey dinner. Amy loves Christmas, and she is the first to admit that Christmas is the best because it has presents. She was always the kid who hoarded her gifts until…
The Weight of Everything
I’m coming back to reality after one week of a complete connection reevaluation. For me, “connecting” usually means plugging in. It means networking online. It means writing and reading and commenting. It meant none of those things this past week. I unplugged from the internet and engaged fully with my family. As we drive home…
What Your Blogger-Wife Wants For Christmas
She goes to bed after you’ve fallen asleep because she’s on the computer “blogging” (alternative reading: “on Facebook”). She dresses your kids up and puts them in fake scenarios so that she can have an appropriate picture for a post she’s working on. She doesn’t let you taste the freshly baked cookies until she’s taken…
There’s Something About Mary
This is my piece that appeared in the Canadian Baptist Advent Reader. If you aren’t already, I would encourage you to finish your Advent season with this compilation of Advent reflections. You can access the book free and online here. In art, Mary is usually depicted as a young beauty draped in blue. Her head is…
How to Bring Home a Real Christmas Tree When You’ve Never Had One Before
Did you know that people want articles on Christmas trees? I know, right? I had no idea – until I was the one Googling “How early can I get a real Christmas tree?” and “How tall should my Christmas tree be?” and “How to care for a Christmas tree” and “How to get your Christmas…
How to Wait: Resources for Advent
December is here, which means we’re finally in the season of Advent. While it was killer as a kid, I totally love the practice of preparing in the waiting. Christmas is never just about the one day of celebration but it is about all that build up, too. And despite growing up in the faith,…
