Changing Wreaths

It is an interesting oddity, in American Christian homes, that the departure of Thanksgiving, and the approach of Advent, cross paths in the night. 

“Black Friday” finds me, not shopping, but mildly overwhelmed by the confluence of pumpkins, evergreen, and purple candles that has exploded into my living room.  The lingering relaxed state of Thanksgiving, meets the approaching footfall of Advent traipsing up my walk, with a bit of a start. 

It doesn’t leave a lot of time for transition.

But, maybe this is a blessing.  Maybe the point of Advent, is preparation.  After all, Christmas doesn’t arrive for another four weeks, or so.  There is much self-examination, contemplation, ….sweeping out of the spiritual cellar, to be done before our Lord arrives. 

That is sort of the point.

Maybe part of the lesson, in all this, is that no one is really ever prepared.  That's why we needed the free gift of grace,... and grace is the reason that we will survive our human brokenness.  It is why the incarnation was an ineffable event...  It affirms that we have worth, in Christ, even in our humanity.  

So, I suppose I shouldn’t be concerned that there is still a fat orange pumpkin on my hearth, as I set out Mary and Joseph.  Perhaps, sending my daughter out, to the front door, to,…“Take down the Fall wreath and replace it with the Christmas wreath”,…. is a natural transition.  Gratefulness is a wonderful backdrop for gearing up to welcome the greatest gift of all…

Oh Come, O Come Emmanuel...

...Hopefully, by the time you get here, we’ll be ready.

After all, that is the purpose of the Advent season, isn’t it?

Pax Christi,

~Michelle

Thomas Kinkade Illuminated Wreath

Linked with:
A Ten O'Clock Scholar: Nativity Carnival

 Please visit her nativity carnival for wonderful Advent links!
And:
Desiring Virtue's Cultivating a Christ Centered Christmas: Resources and Link-up

Pie Pumpkins!

Toughest skinned pie pumpkins ever!  Papa had to cut "vent holes" in them because they were too tough to cut in half without cracking.













Not quite sure how this is going to work.  Hopefully, there won't be an explosion.  Wish me luck!












Here's the update:

It was a  little more tricky scooping out the seeds after they were already cooked, but....













It worked! 


1620 - The Pilgrims brought their favorite family pie recipes with them to America. The colonists initially baked pie with berries and fruits pointed out to them by the Indians. Faced with scarity and difficult conditions, colonial women used round, shallow pans to "cut corners" and stretch the ingredients.


Pax Christi,

~Michelle