Advent 2023

A baby. Soft, warm, snuggly, precious. When a baby is desired, when a safe delivery happens, the resulting joy fills parents’ hearts with unconditional love. In those first few moments of new life all that matters is celebration and delight in this child. In...

Growing up in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, there was so much about the Christmas season that I loved: baking with my mom–cookies and fruit bread and gingerbread people to decorate. Listening to Christmas music on the cassette tapes my...

There are probably many personal Christmas narratives that stand as a testament to the complexities of imparting wisdom and the elusive nature of understanding the true meaning of the season. But I’m a dad now. Like most conversations, they are hijacked to discuss my...

When I think of the warmth of Christmas, without hesitation, the first person that comes to my mind is my Aunt Mary. For the last 27 years of my life, she has made Christmas, what it is. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, Aunt Mary begins to turn her home into the...

I think I was 8 years old that Christmas. One night, my mom turned the lights off and we snuggled up together on a futon mattress on the floor in a nest of pillows and blankets and looked at our Christmas tree. That year our Christmas tree was just ours. Our family...

Christmas time is here! Time for old traditions and the unexpected, like when a family member you haven’t seen for years shows up for the big family event. This holiday season, we may not necessarily know what’s coming around the corner. …or...