Today is December 21, the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year with the longest night. It is also the occasion of a much-anticipated planetary event, the conjunction of two of the largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, so low in the sky that they will look like one huge star, an event that hasn’tContinueContinue reading “Star Gazing during the Winter Solstice”
Author Archives: remcmahan
Winter Lament
Faith traditions across the United States, perhaps across the world, are offering a special service this time of year as the longest night, December 21, approaches. These services are often called “The Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas,” and their intention is to recognize, not shy away from or deny, the pain, grief, and loneliness thatContinueContinue reading “Winter Lament”
The Art of Waiting
The year of 2020 will no doubt go down in history with many different names, none very complimentary, but if I could name it, I’d call it “The Year of Waiting.” We have all waited to see how a pandemic would unfold, having never experienced one before. We have waited, and are waiting, to beContinueContinue reading “The Art of Waiting”
Soul Song
Ancient guides, ancient paths, ancient stories. Winter seasons throughout the beginning of time have drawn humanity to seek solace in these places, to discern wisdom in the darkness of shadows. I have always found it to be Truth that when I am on a journey through the shadows, the Spirit somehow knows what I needContinueContinue reading “Soul Song”
Loneliness at Christmas
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”
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”
Spirit Reflections 