Tag: #ADVENT2025

  • Advent Reflections: Peace by Piece

    Advent Reflections: Peace by Piece

    The following story is historical fiction: straight out of my imagination but inspired by actual events. During World War II, Matsuko and her family were among the many Japanese Americans forcibly interned in camps. For three years she longed to return to the farm near Salinas, California where her husband Hayato’s family had grown strawberries…

  • Advent Reflections: The Power of Hope and Love

    Advent Reflections: The Power of Hope and Love

    A favorite *story of mine that pairs well with the first Sunday of Advent is about a woman who leaves anonymous notes of encouragement throughout her city. Elizabeth, a recovering drug addict, wants to help others by spreading hope, something she once desperately searched for herself. So, she writes uplifting notes and tucks them under…

  • The Modern Distraction: A Call to Lift Our Heads This Advent

    The Modern Distraction: A Call to Lift Our Heads This Advent

    A table full of young soldiers at the food court appeared to be praying together over their noon meal. “How refreshing,” I thought. “They are giving thanks to God.” Tis the season. As I drew closer, I realized they were all staring down at their phones. It was indeed reverence, but of a different sort.…