At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
— Psalm 30: 5-6
On Tuesday, I let the dog out early, and—gasp!—saw a supersized moon glowing low on the horizon.
This is not the moon that I saw, by the way.
I mean, it’s the same moon but on a different day—i.e. yesterday—in a photo that I took on the way home from carpool.
But the supermoon that I saw on Tuesday? It was even lower, fuller, bigger, more beautiful.
A supersized surprise that was gone before I knew it!
A sign of…Christmas.
My luminous hope.
* * *
I am having an intense Advent—one that includes extended family texts and calls that begin with “Are you sitting down?”
(That one came on December 8th. We were just beginning our Immaculate Conception feast and I went from “Hello?” to “He what?!” in ten seconds flat.) That particular problem’s been resolved…kinda…but when you’re dealing with nursing homes, dementia and an assortment of other mental afflictions…
When the calls come from home which is four hours away…
Well, let’s just say that I feel like an Advent wreath by the end of the evening, worn-out & snuffed-out & quite unattractively drippy.
I’m pretty though, right? I’m pretty in pink and smell like pine.
As do we all…
As we make our way to Christmas.
***
On one last note, at least for the moment, I am a huge fan of Family Formation’s catechetical program.
(See this post and this post and this post AND this post!)
(That last post even includes a roll-over–remember those?–where my son goes from short brown hair to grizzly bear.)
One of my favorite resources, as I’ve said repeatedly, is their Our Sabbath Scripture book, which {Ripley’s believe it or not!} we manage to read EVERY SUNDAY ON THE WAY TO MASS.
I know, right? I am humbled by what a holy family we are.
Just don’t watch us getting out the door.
We do have a running joke about the “Perfect Paulines” in Our Sabbath Scripture. This family is just so darn…good about reading the Gospel together before Mass, and then sharing their thoughtful reflections and earnest insights.
They’re a tough act to follow, is what I’m sayin’, SO IS THAT WHY MY 3-YEAR-OLD TOOK A MARKER TO THE BOOK?
It was our brand new copy for the new Liturgical Year…
…and clearly the Paulines were even more perfect in pink.
Pretty in pink!
It’s a sign!
God’s got this.
He makes straight our scribbled lines and sends us new, super-moon-sized grace every morning.
For the past 83 Advents of my life it looks like much to be learned and thankful for. Thank you Margaret for all your posts and may our Lord shower His blessings on you and your family.