Year: 2006

Ah! Christmas time! Part of Christmas is the music. I often sit listening, enthralled by those wonderful carols that we all have heard from childhood, and for which we know all the words for the first verse — and often … Read more

The stories recently in the media about the shoppers in parts of the United States going out at midnight to do their Christmas shopping, only to be disappointed because the parking lots were already full, and about the women who … Read more

All right! I admit it! I am a regifter! I disagree with the few social experts who insist that it is indelicate at the very least and downright rude at its worst. I regift. I learned it from no stranger. … Read more

When we are in an airplane, we trust and hope that the landing approach will be a smooth one. What, then, about our approach to wherever it is we are going? If it is a vacation or a visit to … Read more

Our church is currently doing an online study of C.S. Lewis' great book, "Mere Christianity". It was written during the dark days of World War II and is based on the weekly BBC radio talks he gave to the British … Read more

For the first time in twenty years, I visited the town where I grew up. A great deal had changed. However, en route to the banquet I was attending, I passed the block where three funeral parlours still stand. Memories … Read more

Most of the year, my street is dark. It is a curving road with lots of trees and shrubs — not a friendly way after darkness has fallen. But in early December, something happens to turn the darkness into light. … Read more

In the winter, when daylight saving time brings darkness an hour earlier, some of our churches move the evening services back an hour so people can get home before darkness sets in. There are many reasons for this, one being … Read more

Through this past year, many of us have had things for which we made preparations. Personally, I prepared myself for a graduation that took two years of effort before the day became a reality. Others have prepared for things like … Read more

I remember that Friday well. It had been a heavy work week at the Long Term Care Centre. The flu virus had invaded our staff; dedicated caregivers filled the slack. We struggled to meet the needs of our residents adequately. … Read more