It’s late.
The house breathes silent.
Waiting.
The night inhales expectant.
Breathless.
Soft light turns black to gray, illuminates alabaster earth skin.
Hushed.
Green glows gold and blue and white.
I strung the lights and hung the ornaments alone this year.
Simple.
On sale artificial tree.
Just a few color-coordinated ornaments.
The rest left in storage.
Except for the red apple that has hung on every tree since our first Christmas in 1971.
The cat curled under the tree wakes, yawns, stretches, and creeps into my lap.
I cradle her while I stroke gray and cream.
She vibrates under my touch.
I wonder what it was like to cradle the Divine.
Did Mary sniff a subtle scent of heaven as the babe nestled in her arms?
This space will be more quiet over the next couple of weeks with infrequent posts as I prepare for Him and for some coming changes.
I sense a need to slow down in this season.
To bathe in His light.
To smell His fragrance.
To hear His voice.
To see His face.
To nestle in His arms.
I want to breathe silent.
And wait.
It’s not too late.
He’s never late.
Sipping tea and contemplating Him today with L.L. Barkat.
Today I’m grateful for:
A husband’s soft (sometimes loud) snore.
A kitchen that needs cleaning.
Laundry that needs washing.
The cat’s meow.
Five intact senses.
Crayola Twistables for marking in my Bible.
Sticky sock sisters. (Have I already said that?)
Light in the dark.
Joy in the morning.
The grace of Grace.
Deer in the field.
Binoculars on my windowsill to watch them.
Homemade jam.
Joining Ann and the multitudes today as we count our gifts.
he’s always right on time.
Timeless and always on time. Joy to you and April and Ethan.
Praying for you in these days my friend. Such an amazing time to sense his humanity and divinity at the same time. You inspire me. Merry Christmas dear one! May He be your greatest gift all year long. XO
I am grateful for the gift of you.
“Be still and know …” and enjoy this blessed quiet. Christmas blessings, Sandra.
Sitting in silence and awe with you, Susan. Hugs to you.
I am spending much of this pre-Christmas season at the home of my daughter and her husband. she asked me to come for the birth of their first child. I helped them put up their Christmas tree and learned that this is the first one ever for my son-in-law! He didn’t have a tree growing up, and he loves having one today. There is something about the nighttime shimmer of the lights, in the quiet, that is very peaceful and beautiful to me. thank you for sharing this moment of peace and beauty… your tree is wonderful!
Praying your son-in-law basks in the shimmer. Blessings to your and yours, Kathy. “Mary” Christmas.
Many blessing on you and your family…Christ the Saviour is Born!
Born to die so we could live!
Blessings to all of you, too–and don’t eat too many cookies. 😉
“Five intact senses.”
And here, you always manage to trigger most of mine. 🙂
God bless you, Sandra, as you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
I should cut your picture out and hang it on my tree, Jennifer. You shine golden for me.
There is such beauty in Him and I love how it is reflected in his children. Enjoy your time of quietness, this season of wonder and celebration.
Have a blessed Christmas, Sandra.
Peace to you, Carol. Grateful for you.
Oh the wonder of His birth, this King of Kings born in a manger. Your words have soothed my heart today. May Christmas be filled with His awesome goodness…
Sandra, this is so beautiful it aches.
Thank you.
XOXO
i have a feeling that it is gonna get more quiet for many on the web in the next few days.
Quiet is good. I’m hoping to catch up on some of my reading as well. Christmas blessing to you, Nancy.
You show up in my email inbox, along with a few others that I like to read. You show up with just the title of your post and the first few words. I don’t see your name until I click the link to get redirected to your place here. I always know – from the very first words – when it’s you that I’m reading. Even before I click over. You write your voice here and your voice sings, my friend. The melody you write is sweet and true and it makes me smile. Every single time.
Oh, Deidra. Your words are a gift. You are a gift. And I can’t wait to one day meet and sing together. It’ll happen. I know it will! XOXO
Have a joy filled, love overflow Christmas and shout with me Happy Birthday Jesus!
Sarah
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!
And may the God of even the small things drench your Christmas with joy.