the streets and storefronts are glittering everywhere, which seems particularly shiny out here since it is dark by 4:30pm. i find myself driving longer routes to pass the streets and houses with the most glimmer. The warmth and sparkle has romanticized me for years and I find it hard every year to take ours down. (Mal may even remember when i wanted to leave them up all year in our freshmen dorm).

i must not be alone in this as this Saturday night there was the annual light walk at Greenlake and it was the path around the lake (3 mi) was lit with luminaries. This simple lighting brought all the neighbors, kids, dogs out in droves. Many neighbors were donning lights around their neck or dog leash. it was a great community feeling that everyone got out with their families or friends to take an evening walk with all their neighbors in the middle of this wild season.

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Hebrews 1:3

This was our advent reading yesterday and I was immediately struck thinking about Jesus's RADIANCE. In this season i keep asking myself what it means to me that Jesus was born and what I am really celebrating this month (in addition to lights). Thoughts that parade my mind and heart are that ee need to see how Jesus faces trials, how He treats others, what He cares about and how He stays encouraged. If we wanted to feel like God was not so out there of an idea, here he generously sent the exact representation of his being. This light would have really gotten my attention I believe, and in fact His radiance has romanced me for most of my life.

this morning i did not want to get out of bed. (this is highly unusual for me). but this week feels huge for our little house and i try not to be overwhelmed that i won't be able to handle what comes our way. i won't be able to handle more defeat for my man. barreling towards Christmas day has little to do with presents and travel for us this year (boo!) but more to do with this widening unknown. this onslaught of stretching that we are in forces us to take one day at a time until our bodies feel they can rest in place again.