by Lee Hull Moses There’s a moment on Christmas morning at our house in which everything looks lovely. The presents are arranged neatly under the tree. The lights are on. The living room is straightened up. At our house, this moment lasts all of 12 seconds. We spend the rest of the day cleaning up … Continue reading
by Jennifer DiFrancesco Prayer “A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within. Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to … Continue reading
by Donald Hanna I’m a pastor. Week after week as I’m putting together my bulletin, especially during Advent, I find that the prayers of confession that I select end up including something about “putting things ahead of the needs of our neighbors.” And in this I recognize consumerism as an evil. I see the kind of money that … Continue reading
by Casey W. Fitzgerald Prayer God of our story Be with us As we learn and share As we listen and tell As we seek to know you In this story And to be known by you As we tell it Amen. Spiritual Practice In what follows, families are encouraged to learn to tell the … Continue reading
~ by Horace McMillon I am particularly looking forward to this Christmas. My oldest, Julia, has been away at a boarding school in another state. She has made solid progress. We look forward to welcoming her home on Christmas Eve. Never has Advent been more real to me. I am not sure that I have … Continue reading
by Jennifer Mills-Knutsen ‘Tis the season—for blog posts and articles and morning talk show pieces about how many presents to give to your children. There are people who make the case for the wild delight of an indulgent Christmas morning, for those who can afford it. Others argue that privileged children have too much already, and we should … Continue reading
by Bromleigh McCleneghan My kids are inconsistent in their quest for truth. There are some stories they accept without question: Santa, the Tooth Fairy, Disney’s Descendants. My oldest daughter was adorably and surprisingly devastated when she realized that she couldn’t perform spells just like the anti-heroine Mal in the latter story. But there are still … Continue reading
~by Joanna Harader Every year I’m conflicted about Christmas gifts. On the one hand, I want to honor the spirit of Christmas and avoid being part of the crass commercialism. On the other hand, I really love Christmas shopping. (Which is saying something, because in general I’m not a shopper.) We are fortunate that there … Continue reading
I have a love/loathe relationship with Facebook. I love Facebook for the opportunity to catch up with old and friends around the country and the world – those with whom I never would have had a connection otherwise. I loathe Facebook for being my very own personal time-suck. I love Facebook for the ability to … Continue reading
by Elizabeth Dilley Scripture Reading: Isaiah 12:1-6 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, For though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and … Continue reading
Practicing Families 