Today is dark, fitting the last day of Advent in the middle northern latitudes. Yesterday we had snow; now it is raining lightly and the temperature is again dropping towards freezing. Off to the west there is a hint of a break in the clouds. I am aware that by next Sunday the days will be noticeably longer. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Advent
Advent: Holding Fast to a Good Dream for the World
Today dawned chilly and bleak, with a skiff of snow on the garden walkways. Now the clouds are thinning and there is the promise of sun late in the day.
The calendar page has turned and we find ourselves firmly in December. The birds and squirrels have made themselves at home at the feeder, and the chickadees courteously request more seed when said feeder becomes depleted. We have settled into our winter routine.
On this chill day our thoughts are with the many Water protectors holding the Dream in the cold at Standing Rock.
It seems our country has settled into a time of high anxiety, of anxious waiting for the new administration, and the chaos and suffering they have promised to unleash. We stand firmly in two places. On one hand, we anticipate the Solstice, and for Christians, the birth of Jesus. We await the return of the sun/son and the growing warmth that will come with spring. (No wonder we celebrate Advent and Christmas in this dark, cold time of Northern Hemisphere winter!) At the same time, we anticipate the near future with foreboding, and deep concern for those who are most vulnerable to ruthless power. Continue reading
Advent
Today dawned cloudy and dank, and has proven to be one of those classic raw November days that grace northern New England. There is the hint of snow to come, although the weather service promises there will be none today. … Continue reading
Waiting
‘Tis the holidays, and the end of the academic term. One must get past the end of the semester before settling into, abet briefly, the season of darkness and lights. This afternoon darkness fell by 4:30.
