MERRY (ALMOST) CHRISTMAS!
As we near the close of the Advent season and approach Christmas, the idea of anticipation is on my mind. I’d like to expound on Advent as a concept and something to observe more fully another time, but for now, it feels appropriate to consider “anticipation”. Immediately I think of the excitement of Christmas presents as a kid. We often opened our presents on Christmas Eve because of travel to see family on Christmas Day. Now I anticipate getting to give presents as much as I do receiving them. I am sure we are all anticipating a fresh start on 1/1/2021, hoping we are afforded a clean break from a rough year. Merry Christmas to all of you, I genuinely hope you find peace and joy in the midst of pain and struggle.
Oh, and here’s a digital version of our family Christmas card this year!
CURRENT READS
John Adams / DAVID MCCULLOUGH
Every year I aim to read one biography on a US president (I’ve done Washington, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and JFK). This year I’m starting late and blitzing John Adams. So far, so good. Adams is an interesting character of the Revolutionary period, and McCullough paints him as unique among his contemporaries. It’ll be work to finish this one before 1/1/2021!
Run With The Horses / EUGENE PETERSON
This is the first book I intend on starting in the new year, but if I finish John Adams I may start it sooner. I have found Peterson’s writing to be so pastoral and comforting and piercing, and I expect this to be the same.
30 Poems To Memorize / DAVID KERN
My only hesitation with books like this is they are applicable to me and I regret that so much of my literary knowledge is still rudimentary. Some of these (so far) I know, some I don’t. But I’m very much benefiting from the selection and analysis / reflections.
Desert Southwest / WILDSAM FIELD GUIDES
As I am with family in Arizona for the foreseeable future it seemed appropriate to pick up this “Field Guide” (not to be confused with Field Notes) to spark some ideas and maybe help chart out a brief socially distanced trip or two?
CURRENT SPINS
I combined last week’s playlist with this week (Classic Christmas songs) to make a 2020 Christmas playlist you can put on shuffle and enjoy (only until December 26th of course, so get listening!)