Sparkle and shine!

Ah, here we are, in the first week of Advent.

Last night I was walking around the block enjoying the way the streetlights glittered on the icy road and thinking how much sparkle we have at this time of year: lights, icicles, sequins, glitter... last week's freezing rain coating the bare branches of trees making them shine silver in the sunlight. So beautiful. And all this contrasts with the way the evenings draw in and the vast darkness of the night sky. Yes, ours is dark even though we live on the outskirts of the city.

A few Christmas lights are up, and surely many preparations are being made. I was thinking how we clean and fix up our homes in anticipation of entertaining and welcoming guests. It has to be good to do this, and hopefully our outer work will be reflected inside us too. So the anticipation builds (hopefully the stress stays manageable!), to culminate in the holydays. Perhaps they will help us to shine a little brighter during this time and the year ahead.