Today is Advent Sunday – the first Sunday in Advent – “the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus”.

I gather those things that say Christmas, Light, dreams, hope and whimsy… some just wait…

This skier is special to me – it was always on the white sheet (snow) that was the tree skirt on our Christmas tree when I was a child. Just seeing it makes me smile and remember wonderful snippets of memories from childhood Christmases.

I found this book some years ago and have since read it during Advent. At the time of the writing, the author, Morton Kelsey was a professor of Theology at Notre Dame. In this book, he uses scripture, tradition and legend to tell the Christmas story and explore the lives and thoughts of the “players” in that first Christmas. For me, in the ever changing context of my life and experience, it refreshes my faith and makes Christmas the Holy Night that it is.

Advent, the coming of Christmas – of the ultimate Love.