Flossie and I returned earlier this week from a restful and renewing four weeks away in which most of our time was spent in the desert home of friends in Borrego Springs, California, a “dark sky community” in which the night-time lighting is kept to a minimum. The emotional highlight of my time there was … Continue reading The Dome of Heaven

There are typically three movements with regard to planned human events: the anticipation of the occasion, the actual occasion, and the review of/reflection on the occasion. The three movements of Christmas, we may say, are: the wrapping for Christmas, the unwrapping of Christmas, and the wrapping up of Christmas. How quickly do you say goodbye … Continue reading Wrapping Up Christmas

I’m writing just prior to the Winter Solstice – December 21, 8:28am in our part of the world – which brings to mind a poem that has been a delightful companion to me for many years. It’s a poem by the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke in praise of darkness – actually, it’s a prayer … Continue reading Solstice Darkness

Last Sunday in introducing the lighting of the Candle of Love, I said that for me this third candle of the advent season comes closest to the heart of Christmas … and that’s because Christmas has to do with the heart, and the heart has to do with love, and love has to do with … Continue reading In Defense of Love

The Christmas and holiday season is now upon us in earnest. Will this season only add to the busyness and swirl of our lives, or will it also provide a time for us to pause and attend to the qualities of our hearts? Attending to the qualities of the human heart is what Christmas and … Continue reading Candles for the Heart