Unpacking... and Remembering
My sister and I started unpacking the Christmas boxes last Sunday, and this beautiful Advent plaque fro Soli Deo Gloria Sacred Arts was near the top of one box. As I looked at it, I thought about how none of us knew how different things would be when we put away our lights, tinsel, and ornaments last December or January. Then I thought about Mary's time in waiting. Like us, she didn't have a lot other than faith in her waiting time, but faith was all she needed. Let's follow her example.
The Great Advent Giveaway: 4 Prizes from 4 Awesome Women
I'm so excited to tell you about these four wonderful woman-owned businesses that are offering $25 each in gifts in this year's Great Advent Giveaway! (Enter by 12:15 a.m. ET this Saturday morning, December 5.) One winner will be selected at random for gifts from:

What do you have to do to enter? Just visit their sites (or my Facebook page) and click on the appropriate place on the entry form. But I hope you'll look around and do some shopping with these fine women whether or not you win!
Friend in Faith: Erin Benbennick
Erin Benbennick's hands are always busy. I like that about Erin, and not just because she surprised me a few years back with a beautiful purple prayer shawl I often wear when I'm speaking. Erin has knitted a lot of prayer shawls over the years. She's helped others experiment with a wide variety of crafts over the years, encouraging them to find their creative spark, whatever it might be. When Erin takes up a cause, whether it's fighting human trafficking or supporting her husband's work with Honor Flight (taking veterans to DC's war memorials), she's all in, rolling up her sleeves and inviting friends to help. Erin shows me that God gave us hands as well as heads... and using the former to get out of the latter pleases Him.
On the Nightstand: In Full Bloom by Claire Swinarski
I've been on Claire Swinarski's email list for some time, even though I am hopelessly not techy enough to find her Catholic Feminist podcast. I like the things she has to say... and the way she looks at feminism. In Full Bloom promises to help the reader "see God's grace at work" and to thrive regardless of what life throws at us. I'm thinking that's something we all can use today in these tumultuous times.
Finally...
Maybe you like "Christmas in Connecticut" or "Christmas Carol" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" or one of the other classic holiday films. My favorite is "Meet Me in St. Louis," and I never fail to tear up when Judy Garland sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to Margaret O'Brien, promising their troubles will be gone in a year. My prayer for you is that you and your loved ones find some joy in Advent and Christmas. Remember that unto us, a Child is born!

Blessings, Melanie