First Week of Advent

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the First Week of Advent! It’s hard to believe it is actually upon us. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably feeling a little unsettled with the realization that, with Christmas Eve falling on a Tuesday, we only get a little over 3 weeks of Advent this year. I am resolved, however, to resist the temptation to move faster, accomplish more, and cram as many loved traditions as possible into these sweet, sacred days. Instead, I’ll be shifting some of the things from my “Always” list to my “Maybe” list—and not forgetting my To NOT Do List!

But I’ll also be falling into loved rhythms, like morning devotions by the Christmas tree and the nightly lighting of our Advent wreath. Soon my kitchen will be redolent with sugar and spice, and the mingled fragrance of ginger and fir wafting in from the den will collapse the years and make all of my Christmases past seem present at once. Already I have ironed my treasured red silk ribbons and looped them in droopy bows from the chandelier in the hall, and tomorrow night we will decorate the tree—the gingerbread ornaments are in the works.

(And how fun to make my Christmas recipes this year from my very own book!)

Join us on Zoom this Thursday

Jennifer and I will be hosting our live Group Discussion this Thursday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m. Central / 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Join us for an hour-long conversation engaging with some of the themes of Week One from the book. Contact us for the Zoom link.

Free printable stickers and tags

Also, we have some fun new gifts for you on our Free Downloads page. Jennifer has created the most whimsical assortment of stickers and gift tags!

Sonnet Art Print

There is also a new print of my sonnet, “Song for a Second Advent,” available now in The Rabbit Room Store. Jennifer’s artwork on this piece was, in my opinion, one of the crowning achievements of the book—which is saying a lot, as every time someone asks me what my favorite illustration is I give them a different answer, they are all so gorgeous. But this one brought tears to my eyes as she captured both the longing and the hope embedded in this beautiful, complicated season. I’m so happy to have it memorialized in print form!

My prayer for each of you this week is that you would experience these early days of Advent as a safe space for both your longings and your hopes.

With gratitude and anticipation,

Love,