Today is the first day of Advent,
the beginning of a new year for my Episcopal and many other Christian churches.
The weeks leading up to Christmas have always been my most anticipated, though I’ve probably never come close to understanding the depth of the reasons my heart finds them so.
In the beginning, it was certainly the way Mom made everything magic for my brother and I, and it was the tree and the lights and the music, Santa and the reindeer—my dad’s sweet smile. As the years went by, I learned more and went through different periods of faithfulness and failure, but I was always striving, trying to understand the magic and make it real.
According to Father Luke Gregory, OFM, “As the world enters the sacred season of Advent, a period of preparation and reflection for many Christians, we find ourselves standing at the intersection of hope and longing. This time invites us to consider not just the anticipation of Christ’s coming but also the deep desire for reconciliation and peace within our fractured world” (www.vaticannews.va).
The intersection of hope and longing—yes!
Wishing all of you, whether you subscribe to the faith of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, or you’re Atheist or Agnostic—wishing you an unlimited experience of hope for a meaningful, hopeful, peaceful future, whatever you call this time of year.
Thank you for being a part of everything. Your presence makes everything bright and beautiful!
Bless You!
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
One of our Episcopal priests says you can’t really enjoy the feast of Christmas without some fasting during Advent. I have never thought or experienced that, which I normally associated with Lent. Have not tried it and thought it might be something to consider.
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It’s a new idea to me. I will definitely give it some consideration. I have so much to learn!
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We all do.
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Amen! Beautifully stated, as always. May there be peace for you and for us all.
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Sending you love and forever gratitude for your friendship! Amen indeed!
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Thank you for your inspiration, the joy and hope and faith you share!
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Thank you, Kathy! Sending love to you and your family always, my friend!
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God bless you, Lori!
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And you, Joy! I am so honored to found you and your beautiful work here. Thank you!
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Bless you, Lori. I’m mainly homebound, so I pretty much live through social media.
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I’m so thankful for online friends!
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You are a bright light to all who read your posts, Joy! Being an online friend is a new and surprising way to get to know each other—but not that different from being pen pals, which was a wonderful way to connect in the past. I treasure you!
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Write on, ready for the holiday season 😎.
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Absolutely! 🎄💕🎄
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Beautiful reminders to me of growing up Episcopalian and celebrating Advent and singing in the church choir. I’m no longer a church-goer, but those early church years began my spiritual journey. 💙
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I always wanted to sing in a choir but I don’t have a good singing voice! 🤓 I do enjoy reading aloud though. 💕
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I do as well!! My singing voice vanished once I hit adolescence. Oh wellll. 🙂
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Oh no! I guess we can’t do it all!😉
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I was raised Catholic, so I’m quite familiar with Advent. I don’t attend church often these days, though I try to live a Christian life and always look out for those who are less fortunate. Wishing you and your family warm wished during the holidays and praying for peace in the world.
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Thank you, Pete! I wasn’t raised in the church, which is complicated, and I always yearned for something more. When I had my children I started attending a Presbyterian church near my home. I heard the bells and I went! Now I live in a tiny town with a very old Episcopal church—and it has bell! Wishing you and your family wonderful holidays and also, oh goodness, yes, peace in the world! 💕🙏💕
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Wishing you a beautiful holiday season, Lori! I believe we have much to be hopeful for, and I love the focus of your post which draws out what is important! May we all work toward a hopeful, meaningful and peaceful future! And, by the way, “your presence makes everything bright and beautiful” too!
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Thank you, Anita! So happy we can touch bases on our blogs. 💕❤️💕
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What a beautiful message of our human condition. I think of kneading bread dough, the staff of life. It takes intention to work out the lumps.
We get to address the lumps of life. Longing for better things is part of who we are yet it can be wrapped up in hope. Thank you.
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Thank you, Gloria! 💕
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All the best to you, too.
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Thank you!
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You said this so perfectly, Lori:
“The weeks leading up to Christmas have always been my most anticipated, though I’ve probably never come close to understanding the depth of the reasons my heart finds them so.”
You described the tingle, the gut-level joy, even though I can’t put my finger on the ‘why’ behind the deep feelings this time of year. Almost as if I’m carrying every seasonal experience with me – keeping those I’ve lost at my side. All because of the lead-up to Christmas. Ahhh. Thank you so much. Beautiful, beautiful!
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And you describe what I tried to convey perfectly!🤓
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❤️🥰❤️
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I love this phrase so much: “wishing you an unlimited experience of hope for a meaningful, hopeful, peaceful future”… I have so much hope for the future, thank you for encouraging it, Lori. 💞💞
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Thank you for your hope, Rose! Hope and love are contagious!💕💕💕
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This is such a great post for this time of year, and I like what you did with the intersection of hope and longing. Finding that balance between wanting something and believing that it’s possible is tremendous spiritual work.
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Thank you, Edward! Love your phrase: tremendous spiritual work- it is!❤️
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You’re very welcome, Lori.
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The intersection of hope and longing – so beautiful and right on, Lori! Thanks for helping to put the magic into words! Here’s to a wonderful Christmas season!
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And to you and your family, Wynne!🎄💕🎄
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What a timely and beautiful post! The way you bring together hope and longing is wonderful. That dance between desire and faith is such profound inner work!
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Thank you so much, K. I really appreciate your reading and commenting.
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