from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2024) Our embodied existence includes times of great joy and times of suffering—both can even be wrapped into one experience. Sometimes my middle schooler will exclaim, “I am so sore!” after a particularly taxing game of soccer or a demanding physical education class. WhenContinue reading ““Embodied Christ””
Tag Archives: Advent
Blessing for the Dawn
from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). As we mark the longest night and now anticipate the growing light… Blessing for the dawn On the wild edge, on the threshold, when you are unsure, longing, and vulnerable may you be held with love. In the distress, In the defeat, when youContinue reading “Blessing for the Dawn”
“Blessing to Love”
from Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2025) May we graspimpossiblythe breadth of God’s Love May we be transformedmiraculouslyin the height of God’s Love May we overflowabundantlyfilled with the depth of God’s Love We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! You can spread the joy by liking, commenting andContinue reading ““Blessing to Love””
Blessing for the Waiting
from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025) When the light is dim, and I wonder . . . Remind me that you come near; for I am waiting. I am expectant. I am preparing; for I know you work wonders. For healing, for reconciliation, I am waiting. You announce mysteries. YouContinue reading “Blessing for the Waiting”
“Grace and Peace to You”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2025) In Matthew 1, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream. Most likely Joseph did not have access to written scriptures. He wasn’t part of a culture where the wonders of dreaming were explained through psychology. God used an avenue to communicate thatContinue reading ““Grace and Peace to You””
Waiting with hope…
From the introduction of Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). In an Advent sermon on hope, the preacher began with examples of things we wait for: a baby to be born, test results, voting outcomes, the storm to pass. I leaned forward in the pew, reaching for my bag. In theContinue reading “Waiting with hope…”
“Welcoming Joy”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2024) Children bring a special wonder and delight to Christmas endeavors, especially to creative projects. There’s plenty we can learn from their carefree, experiential attitudes. When my now-grown son was a preschooler, I dreaded going into any store with TVs, computers, or any applianceContinue reading ““Welcoming Joy””
Take Heart
from the introduction of Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). Despite the doctors’ earlier estimates, we now knew this would be our final holiday season together. After one last Christmas morning on the farm, we would move my mother-in-law into a facility where she could receive round-the-clock care as her bodyContinue reading “Take Heart”
“Blessing for the New Day”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2024) Breathe deeply of the precipitous air Unfurl your shoulders turn your face toward the rising sun Allow the crisp morning air to fill your lungs Savor the quietmoment Gather what you need to face the new day -by Sherah-Leigh Gerber Consider an AdventContinue reading ““Blessing for the New Day””
The chaos of thresholds…
from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). Thresholds are times pregnant with possibility and rife with uncertainty. Sometimes they are welcomed, even chosen, but sometimes weare forced to stand on the ledge and face the murkiness of the unknown. Advent is a threshold season. The stretch between Thanksgiving (inthe United States)Continue reading “The chaos of thresholds…”
some comfort and joy 