My little pine cone angel.

Advent is the season of arrival. We wait with joyful anticipation for Christ’s birth. There are many other things we want to have arrive including spending time with family and friends, eating lots of yummy goodies, gifts of course, and Christmas music 24/7-that could just be me though.

We wait for many arrivals, but sometimes we need to act to make them happen and sometimes we need to be patient to let things happen in their time. That is so difficult! I put our lights up on Sunday and couldn’t wait for it to get dark so I could see them. Now, when I get back from my run, I can see the lights from about three-quarters of a mile and then when I get close, I can see the apple tree all decked out and I feel the peace and joy and warmth of that faraway and long-ago manger.

Anticipation and arrival: of gifts ordered and the smile they will bring, of recipe cards on the kitchen counter and the sweet taste of family traditions, of travel plans and time with family, friends, and neighbors, of homecomings, of carols and harmony, and of the bright star over the sacred birthplace of our Lord.