Hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas as well, Lux! We had such a marvelous time getting to see everybody at some point over the past week.

How interesting to read that definition of sin as disordered attachments! that really hits home with this book. I need to pay attention as well. 😉 Happy New Year, Jean!

Yes, sometimes the less words, the better. After I read this morning’s scriptures, I listened to “For Unto Us Is Born” from Handel’s Messiah and looked at Rembrandt’s “The Nativity.” Both were incredibly moving.

And doubly agree: out of great suffering can often arise great wisdom.

It’s also those that have suffered tremendous loss have so much of that wisdom.

Yes, sometimes there are so many to choose from that I find it hard to just pick one and go. ha. Your scripture advent was a wonderful way to do it (plus with such beautiful photos!). I appreciate you sharing that so freely, June.

I can’t believe it’s already December 23! I finished wrapping presents yesterday in a two-day frenzy so now I can relax and enjoy the festivities. 🙂 Hope you’re ready too!

Thank you for this great list of resources, Lynn! It’s always valuable to hear what is good from a friend. I also appreciate the Lent tips. Now is a great time to gather what we want to be reading then. May you have a blessed Christmas too!

I LOVE Anglican poet Malcolm Guite’s Waiting on the Word, which combines a poem a day during Advent and Epiphany, along with Guite’s rich commentary. He’s well-versed (no pun intended! :)) in all manner of poetry and in the commentary, alludes to other poetry while describing and explaining the one at hand. He himself is a marvelous poet. Here is the book: https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Word-Advent-Christmas-Epiphany/dp/1848258003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514040085&sr=8-1&keywords=waiting+on+the+word
Also, his Word in the Wilderness is perfect for Lent and uses a similar format (you can get that now and be ready. 🙂 ): https://www.amazon.com/Word-Wilderness-Malcolm-Guite/dp/1848256787/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514040225&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=word+in+the+wilnderness
I also love poets/novelist Luci Shaw and Madeleine L’Engle’s Winter Song, a combination of poetry and lyrical prose, geared to Advent, Christmas, and the New Year: https://www.amazon.com/WINTER-SONG-CHRISTMAS-Hardcover-Publishers/dp/B001LEN2X6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514040327&sr=1-1&keywords=winter+song+luci+shaw
You likely can still get it used. I don’t know if they ever published a paperback edition. And Kris Camealy’s Come, Lord Jesus is lovely too: https://www.amazon.com/Come-Lord-Jesus-Weight-Waiting/dp/1536951285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514040391&sr=1-1&keywords=come+lord+jesus

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Lynn