Year: 2000

The ribbon is off, drooping on my lap. The tag says, "To Iris with love from Santa." I jot it down on my list. Then I tear into the box, another box, another box, smaller and smaller. Finally I open … Read more

Being a mother has been, I confess, one of the most frightening responsibilities I have ever been given. From the time I was told of each pregnancy, until now as I look at how they've grown nearly to adolescence, I … Read more

October 31: I'm walking around my neighbourhood and am horrified. Just about every third house has some type of Halloween display. Some are exceptionally elaborate. One woman told me she had been working on her "display" for a month! My … Read more

The little bells gently tinkled as I took them from their box: family heirlooms, Christmas treasures, to be cherished from one generation to the next. The faded scarlet ribbons from which they hung were mere slips of what they had … Read more

The Advent season is here once more. In reflecting on today's scripture reading, I am reminded all over again that we are to prepare ourselves during these four weeks before Christ's birthday. To do so, we come from many different … Read more

At this time of year, we often hear people say, "Let's keep the Christ in Christmas", or "Remember the real meaning of Christmas". But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Has anyone ever asked us? Even if they haven't … Read more

I stared at the greeting I had just typed into the e-mail message, "God morning!" What it should have read was, "Good morning!" After I completed my e-mail message and sent it to my friend, I contemplated the mis-spelling. It … Read more

I have no spectacular memory to hold onto of a phenomenal Christmas present or an outstanding occasion that is unique to the season. Instead, all those days are melded together into a montage of laughter, embraces, food, cheer, and deep … Read more

The children were delighted! Behind every little window was a chocolate treat. Is Advent a time for feeding the children chocolate? Are we not supposed to see something else under those little windows as they open each day? I can … Read more

The story of Christ's birth is probably one of the most touching stories ever told — a young and very pregnant woman journeying by donkey and foot to a town far away, only to be met by closed doors and … Read more