bits of sunshine

december day twenty

Hanukkah - Festival of Lights

in Jewish tradition, a day begins at sundown - so Hanukkah began at sundown on the eighteenth day of December this year

and a blessing - as the light is kindled, eight candles for eight nights

Hebrew:
.ברוך אתה יי, אלוהינו מלך העולם, שהחיינו, וקיימנו, והגענו לזמן הזה

Transliteration:
Baruch atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la’zman hazeh.

Translation:
Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.

Hanukkah is the celebration of Jewish liberation from the Greeks, and more so, the celebration of consecrated light brought back to the temple - the tiny bit of undefiled oil that kept a light burning in the temple for eight days until more consecrated oil could be found for the temple. 

I have known that the tradition is to light a menorah - with eight candles - over the course of eight nights. I always assumed that the tradition was to start with one candle, then light two the next night, then three, and so on . . . but, today, I was introduced to the knowledge that there are two schools of thought . . . those who follow the way of the House of Hillel light in the order I just described, starting with just a little bit of light and adding to brightness each evening. Those who follow the way of the House of Shammai light all eight the first night, then seven, then six, and so on, bringing the maximum light on the first night, and diminishing as the nights of the miracle diminish. 

This article, Tomorrow Will Be Much Better, and this one, Hillel and Shammai, are both interesting (fairly short) fleshing out of some thoughts about both traditions. The ruling rabbis in the early years of the common era decided to follow the custom of the House of Hillel, and the Jewish mystics say that after the Messiah comes, the custom of the House of Shammai should be followed. There are also Jewish people who light their menorahs as the Shammai did in order to reframe their relationship to the rules of their religion and to usher in an era of liberation. 

Celebrations of light in the darkness, traditions that weave threads from generation to generation, and some of us re-framing, re-membering, re-building, re-working what traditions to let go and what traditions to claim. 

Praise be to God, Who remains steadfast and sure, no matter what traditions we observe.

december day thirteen

St. Lucia Day

Continuing the with the theme of light in the darkness with Lucia - bearer of light.

This 400-year-old custom brings peace and joy each year on December 13th – the custom began in Sweden and is celebrated around the world by families with Swedish heritage. And, although most of my heritage is Swedish (six of my eight great-grandparents came to the United States from Sweden as young adults), my family never celebrated St. Lucia Day. I first learned about this beautiful tradition when I read Kirsten's Surprise while tucked into bed under a cozy, heavy quilt at my Grandma Eva's house. There was such magic in how I imagined Kirsten bringing coffee and St. Lucia buns to her family, candles shining in her crown of greenery, in the darkness of the early morning. 

Lucia of Syracuse, is said to have been martyred for her faith in 304 AD, when she came to the attention of the Roman authorities. She brought food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way through the darkness with a crown of candles. 

December 13 was the historic Julian calendar’s shortest day, and according to Swedish folklore, the long night was dangerous, with dark spirits out in force. Staying awake, keeping a light shining, and eating food all maintained connection to the mortal world. As some of the ancient Norse traditions were replaced or combined with Christian traditions, St. Lucia - the bearer of light - was the perfect saint to commemorate during the winter solstice observances, traditions, and ceremonies. 

The night treads heavily
around yards and dwellings
In places unreached by sun,
the shadows brood
Into our dark house she comes,
bearing lighted candles,
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.

In December, the northern hemisphere sees the shortest daylight hours, and people, all through time, have longed for the lengthening of daylight and have found ways to celebrate the light and shine the light through the darkness. This morning, I will light a candle, drink coffee, and eat some sweets - to celebrate St. Lucia Day - the festival meant to bring hope and light at this darkest time of the year. 

december day 8

light

the light of the full moon, starlight, candlelight, firelight, lamplight, sunlight

looking for the light
capturing the light
holding light
walking in the light
being light
a vessel of light
magnifying the light
the beauty of light
the power of light

light spreading across the sky, across a floor, across a face

a face shining
a smile radiating 

a ray, a spark, a sparkle, a gleam, a beam 

shining through, over, across, into

and also
maybe
one has to know darkness
before one can truly know light

the Light shines into the darkness
but the darkness does not comprehend this Light 

and yet,
darkness is what makes light so very necessary
so very beautiful

God is light
in Whom there is no darkness at all

and yet,
everything that is good has grown in the dark

the world was spoken into being
when darkness was upon the face of the deep

a seed must be placed in the darkness
to germinate and press against its shell
before tiny shoots begin to look for the light

a baby begins as love and two cells
in deep, warm darkness

God, who said, "let Us make humankind in Our image"
ordained the essence of Their whole being
to become the tiny cells of beginning
in the darkness of a young girl's womb

God would be born as an infant 
heralded on a dark night
by the shining host of heavenly beings
and a glorious star

God, who would be both in the darkness - of the womb, of birth, of the stable
and in the light bursting forth and radiating through the heavens
touching earth with blood and tears
touching earth with glorious good news

and i,
bearing witness to the light,
must also bear witness to the beauty that begins in darkness
and darkness that amplifies the light

december day seven

Pearl Harbor Day

sunshine streaming through my window
and also glinting off the beautiful fresh snow
out in the very cold air
warm, dark coffee in my cup
christmas music playing, peaceful and merry

and yet, today is the day that part of the world exploded into flames and shards of metal and waves that rocked and slammed into the shore

today is the day that demanded more of the world wake up to the destruction and darkness fighting for power and tyranny

today is the day when those who lost their lives were the catalyst for more lives to be saved

darkness tried yet again, but could not overcome the light

darkness amplified the light

and many looked for the light
fought for the light
held the light
magnified the light

so, today, we can remember

we can rejoice that some things have been made right

and we can yet hold space and wait and work for all to be made right

this season of advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before 

some darkness, certainly
we live in this world

but also some light, certainly
we live in this world

what is possible is to not see it,
to miss it,
to turn just as it brushes past you

and then you begin to grasp what it was you missed,
like moses in the cleft of the rock,
watching God's back fade into the distance

so stay
sit
linger
tarry
ponder
wait
behold
wonder

there will be enough time for running
for rushing
for worrying
for pushing

for now,
stay
wait
something is on the horizon

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thoughts on Pearl Harbor Day inspired by a co-worker who shared the poem DID YOU KNOW ME THEN  by, John Vierra, Park Ranger, USS Arizona Memorial  

and some thoughts and words about Advent inspired by a piece by Jan L. Richardson

photos - black and white photos of Pearl Harbor - from google images // color photos are mine; first - the almost-full-moon, second - the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds which was the place where a Japanese Internment Camp was run during WWII, third - some of the stone pillars that are left standing, remnants of the internment camp

december day six

Sinterklaas - St Nicholas - Day
December Tradition

St. Nicholas was a bishop who was known for his good deeds, especially for the needy and children. He often gave generously and anonymously. Nicholas was officially recognized as a saint in the 800s. 

Many countries in Europe celebrate the Feast of Sinterklaas—also known as St. Nicholas—starting on the 5th of December, the eve of the day, by sharing candies, chocolate letters, small gifts, and riddles. 

In the Netherlands, a fellow dressed as Sinterklaas would arrive by ship on December 6 and ride a white horse (or a donkey) through the towns, handing out gifts. It was the Dutch pronunciation of his name—Sinterklaas—as well as Dutch traditions that made their way to America. These led the way to the name Santa Claus and the tradition of gift-giving.

My friend G introduced me to Sinterklaas Day many, many years ago - one of these years, I will be ahead of the game and send her chocolate and riddle in time for Sinterklaas Day. 

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photos - Main Street, Miles City, MT - from my snowy drive to work today 

 

december day three

this weekend was a whole lot of ice hockey

and some rest.
yesterday afternoon i took a three-hour nap.
the sun was streaming in our hotel room window.
i laid down,
pulled up a blanket,
got my pillow just right
and fell asleep. hard.
and rested well. 

and i found this thought yesterday:

stop demanding the same strength and productivity from yourself year-round.
as the nights become longer and colder,
grant your body the rest it's so often denied. 

slow. mend. 

let this sacred darkness carry you into dreaming. 

in the dark, choose rest

(instagram: @blackliturgies)

 

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p.s. change - renewal - a tiny goodbye that means something to me 

also - this weekend, i used my old, one-shoulder bag for the last time. ben got the first one for me eleven years ago - and i have used it most days since i got it. the main zipper recently gave out (i have been nursing it along and unzipping it so carefully for the past few weeks) - and most of the fabric is soft from years of wear. i went looking on ebay and found the same one, in like-new condidtion. tonight, i switched my things from old bag to new and discarded the old one. this felt like something worth marking. so, here is the documentation - for myself. 

 

 

 

december day one

welcome, month of holidays and celebration - i plan to recognize many of these days - and look for the joy in each day this month.

welcome month of hustle and bustle - i plan to hustle and bustle a bit. but i also plan to soak in the moments and take deep breaths and do some resting.

welcome month of endings and beginnings - a year will come to an end, but we celebrate new birth and hope and joy. 

welcome month of the darkest days - we will fill you with candlelight and starlight and strings of lights. we will find comfort in the turning inward and holding close that these lights in the darkness invite. 

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welcome friends. welcome to december, here on my blog. 

in this season of celebration, deep melancholy, and great joy - go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful. 

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love, e

sunday coffee series

july 17:

. enjoying 78 degrees this morning and watering my flowers before we creep up to 105 or so this afternoon . it should be a perfect day to enjoy an afternoon movie .
.
. oh summertime, there is so much i love about you . ☀️🌊🌻☕️🌾🍧✨
.
#sundaycoffeeseries with connie  // mug from ben for an anniversary eight or so years ago 🥰

 

july 24:

coming to you from Miles City Interagency Dispatch Center
.
from the Aircraft desk
.
mug was a gift from ben, purchased at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, AZ
.
#sundaycoffeeseries with connie  // #wildlandfirewife #wildlandfiredispatch 
.
weather - sunny - 71 degrees F - 53% humidity - it’s going to head towards 90 degrees and 20% humidity as the day wears on

 

july 31:

. enjoying 76 degrees this morning and planning to water my flowers before it gets hotter . last day of july - and i’m not sure what i think about this .
.
. i started a book by madeleine l’engle yesterday - and read until way too late last night (early this morning?) .
.
. oh summertime, there is so much i love about you . ☀️📖🌳🌳☕️🌻🍧✨
.
#sundaycoffeeseries with connie // mug created by arne ceramics in flagstaff, az / gifted to me by stef and simon // at home in front of number six-twelve

sunday coffee and words

Numbers 20 - Miriam dies
and the well dries up
the people complain - they are thirsty and afraid
God tells Moses to take his staff
          assemble all the poeple
          and SPEAK to the rock
          tell the rock to yeild water

But Moses - once again - doesn't trust that words will work
back in Exodus chapters 3 and 4 (3:11 and 13 and 4:1, 10, and 13)
Moses told God five times
that he (Moses) wouldn't know how to talk to Pharaoh,
that he couldn't do it,
that no one would listen to his voice, his words.

God continues to tell Moses that He (God) will provide the words
and He asks Moses, out of exasperation, I think,
"Who has made man's mouth?
Who makes him mute or deaf or seeing or blind?
Is it not I, the LORD?
Now go!
And I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

But Moses asks yet again, "Please send someone else."
Moses does not believe that the words God gives will be enough.
Spoken words enough to free a people?
Spoken words enough to create water in a desert?
Words spoken to Pharaoh will have power?
Words spoken to a rock - an unyeilding force - will produce what is demanded?
What power could words have?
Moses does not trust that God will honor His own words
          "tell the rock"
or that God will honor the words that Moses speaks. 

This whole existence is a story of words.
God created the whole world with words - by the WORD - remember?
"Let there be light."
And there was light.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
All things were made through the Word.
In Him was life - life that is the light of humankind.
(Genesis 1:3 and John 1:1-4)

God made covenant with the ancestors of Jesus and people of ancient days with words. He made shifts in their names that changed their destinies. 

"Words are events, they do things, change things." (Ursala K. Guin)

If you lose faith in words, you lose power and your future changes.
Moses lost faith in words and his future changed.
When Moses continued to doubt the words of God,
the words of God's promises did not carry Moses to the fertile promised land;
Moses did not speak the words God offered to supply,
and he lived out his life in the barren desert. 

I don't want to discount the power of words. I want to take care with God's Words. I want to trust His Words.

I want to speak truth and life and living water with my words.

What promised lands may be opened or closed to me and to others because of what words I believe and what words I speak?

Moses did not speak to Pharoah as God would have empowered him to do.
Moses did not speak to the rock as God would have empowered him to do.
He missed opportunities to use the power of language. 

May we be blessed with the clarity we need to chose powerful words.
May we build a safer and stronger and more righteous world
for ourselves and those around us
with life-giving, life-affirming, intentional words. 

May we have the faith to speak to what seems immovable,
and may we have the joy of watching life-giving water gush forth from the Rock
by the power of our words. 

May it be so.
          Amen. 

 

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and a nod to Jericho Vincent {@thealef on instagram}, for the thought-provoking series "The World's Oldest Bookclub" 

Bookstack

Stacks of Kindnesses - by Lori Hetteen  - her third tiny book of seventeen syllable poetry. It is amazing what one can say in only seventeen syllables. You can see all three in my stories, and I highly recommend them all. 📚 

 

The Voices We Carry - by J.S. Park - I found J.S. on Instagram and have appreciated his voice so much. This book is his writing about all the voices inside of us - our own and others’ - that fight and clamor and make us who we are. I opened the book to page 121 and read, “[the voices] are trying to heal something that wiggles underneath the surface of our guts, something that’s pulsing and writhing down there. We exalt ourselves to avoid it. We condemn ourselves to prevent it. We exalt others to deflect it. We condemn others to fix it.” And a free pages later, “Intersecting with the cross, there’s this gift of resurrection, an invitation into restored life for a heart as flawed and fatal as mine, and it shows me that God is in the business of breathing life into busted places.” I am looking forward to reading all of it! 

 

The Alchemist - by Paul Coelho - a kindred spirit recommended this book to me and I have read it once and plan to read it again, pencil in hand, and underline and digest many passages. “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.” “If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve upon the present, what comes later will also be better.” “We are afraid of losing what we have: life, possessions, health, property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world are written by the same hand.”

 

Pilgrim - by David White - a collection of poetry by an author Ben appreciates. Sometimes Ben sends me a poem to savor. I thought that I would purchase this book for him. The poem titled “Fifty” is truly beautiful. 

 

Seven Aunts - by Staci Lola Drouillard - was gifted to me by the University of Minnesota press to read and review. I am on page 33 and am captivated. “Each woman’s story is vital to tell - not because they were famous astronauts, inventors, politicians, or war heroes, but because they had the courage to live in this world at all. And that, for me, is enough.” This book is real stories about women who matter a lot. As do we all. The ordinary is amazing and necessary and beautiful. 

 

Call Us What We Carry - by Amanda Gorman - ever since hearing Amanda’s inaugural poem and her recitation, I knew I would buy collections of her poetry. “Children understand / Even grime is a gift, / Even what is mired is miraculous, / What is marred is still marvelous.” “ Words matter, for / language is an ark. / Yes, / Language is an art, / An articulate artifact. / Language is a life craft. / Yes, / Language is a life raft.”