“I don’t think Jesus gives him the pat answer we may think this is. Jesus, I think, turns the whole scenario upside down.”

“The church bids us slow down and prepare slowly and patiently for something as grand as the arrival of Jesus in our midst. What frustrates me each year, as I try my darnedest to be in Advent, is that as soon as Christmas arrives, all of the celebrations stop!”

“It is no accident, is it, that Advent is marked by the lighting of candles? As the darkness increases over the weeks, we light more candles. As the pace of the holidays increase, can we also find more moments of hygge for ourselves and with those we love?”

“Life is happening whether we like it or not; I thank God I will be journeying with this beautiful community.”

“Today marks the beginning of the work of faithfulness in whatever world greets us tomorrow.”

“Unfortunately, that election did not fuel my interest in politics. It was in fact more of a wake up call to what the US government is actually like.”

“Our practical and tangible leadership choices—where we’ll spend our money, what projects we’ll undertake, what challenges we will tackle—are choices that now stem from that season of deep listening, so that we can truly take care of one another and the world we’ve been called to serve.”

“Anytime we travel abroad, we learn not only about another culture but about ourselves.”

“In our Christian faith, water is a recurring theme, symbolizing renewal and new life, especially in Baptism. Each time I begin a swim session, I’m reminded of what it means to be renewed, both physically and spiritually.”