Speaking for myself, two of the loneliest moments in my life occur annually: when I put the Christmas tree up and when I take the Christmas tree down. It wasn’t always that way, not when I had our two children in the house. We had a regular method of getting the tree ready: my husbandContinueContinue reading “Loneliness at Christmas”
Author Archives: remcmahan
Keeping Hope in Hopeless Times
A neighbor in an adjoining subdivision to ours is Jewish. At least that is my supposition since the family keeps an 8’ metal menorah cemented to the ground in their front yard year-round. We pass this house when we head to town, and I’ve come to call it “The Menorah House.” I am moved byContinueContinue reading “Keeping Hope in Hopeless Times”
The Power of Stillness
In this sometimes bittersweet season, where joy can be so elusive because of all the activity, anxiety, and noise which surround us, I turn in this journey to the Light to the wisdom of a current guide, Brother David Steindl-Rast, an American monk born in 1926 who still is leading us forward. What draws meContinueContinue reading “The Power of Stillness”
Whatever is Lovely
As we seek the Light through the experience of joy this week, the ancient guide Paul of the Bible’s New Testament arrives with a message: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.ContinueContinue reading “Whatever is Lovely”
The Meaning of Joy in Advent
In the Christian tradition, the focus or theme of the third week of the four-week season of Advent is joy. In this dark time of year, in a “holiday” season that for many of us will be different from what it has ever been before, where do we find joy? If this is our firstContinueContinue reading “The Meaning of Joy in Advent”
Loss of a Mother in December
Today marks the sixth anniversary of my mother’s death. Catherine H. Rice, as she always called herself, was 94 when she died due to complications from Parkinson’s and dementia. Her illness was what a friend accurately called “the long goodbye” as this woman who was once the matriarch and centerpiece of the house slowly gaveContinueContinue reading “Loss of a Mother in December”
Lighting Our Own Flame
Today, December 11, marks the second day of the eight day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, the festival of lights. For those not familiar with this celebration, here is a synopsis: In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture andContinueContinue reading “Lighting Our Own Flame”
Sky Lights
If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile. Ralph Waldo Emerson In this winter seasonContinueContinue reading “Sky Lights”
An Advent Meditation on Surrender
Yesterday, I offered to pray for anyone with a specific request and asked that you use the email to send your concern. I understand that some people had a problem trying to click on that link, so please cut and paste 20rosepoet20@gmail.com to whatever email platform you use. If you did not get a reply fromContinueContinue reading “An Advent Meditation on Surrender”
Invitation for Prayer Requests
In yesterday’s blog, I wrote about peace and how it is so often sung about in Christmas carols and proclaimed in scriptures. At this point in history, the image of a lion lying down with a lamb is one for which we all long. But for peace to become a reality in our lives, homes,ContinueContinue reading “Invitation for Prayer Requests”
Spirit Reflections 