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””
Tag Archives: anabaptist
“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””
“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…”
“Releasing Expectations”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2025) Spend some time reflecting on your own expectations for the holiday season. Since Advent can be especially busy, finding time for reflection might be challenging. However, carving out at least one time during the week when you can be alone and quiet isContinue reading ““Releasing Expectations””
“Preparation”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Praces for Advent, Herald Press, 2024. Preparation, then, is the perfect focus for this first week of reflections and practices. In Advent we prepare our hearts so that the outward signs of the season become acts of kindness and creativity instead of a frustrating list of seasonal to-dos. WeContinue reading ““Preparation””
It’s the Holiday Season…
While Advent is still 19 days away, the first signs of snow in my area make it feel like the holiday season is upon us! And there is no doubt that the swirl of activities, opportunities (and stressors) that come with the holiday season are here. For some of us, it is a wonderful timeContinue reading “It’s the Holiday Season…”
Joy: Practicing Wholeness (Luke 8:48)
“Jesus said, ‘Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!’” -Luke 8:48 If you didn’t get a chance to read Sherah-Leigh’s reflection on Monday take a moment to do that now! Take time this week to journal or think about your hopes for healing and comfort.Continue reading “Joy: Practicing Wholeness (Luke 8:48)”
some comfort and joy 