It’s a cold, rainy, dreary day outside, but warmth, music, and twinkling lights bring a feeling of comfort and JOY inside.  Once dad officially begins the day and joins us in the kitchen, he’s amazed at the holiday transition taking place inside our home.  Stockings hanging from the hearth, the Wise Men traveling way-from-afar (that’s another story), the smell of cinnamon and orange burning on the stove, and the first candle of Hope burning from the Advent wreath for the season of anticipation greet him.  He smiles, pats my back, and notes, “Ahhh, Christmas…more than just a day on the calendar; it’s a warm place in my heart everyday.”  We stop and embrace in this flurry of Yuletide preparations; a seasonal blessing of warmth in our hearts and soul in that particular moment…then, he immediately wants to know what I’m getting him for Christmas! 🙂

WARMTH… As one who frequently suffers from “personal summers,” moderate heat is not necessarily a blessing all the time, however, let us concentrate on the “affectionate” part of the definition for this blessing today.  Fervor, enthusiasm, and zeal come to mind when reflecting on the blessings of warmth.  Having a conversation with someone who gives eye contact when speaking and listening is warmth.  Showing empathy by grasping the perspective of another is warmth.  What does the blessing of WARMTH mean to you? 

As we transition from one season to the next (even though the calendar shows another 19 days until the Winter Solstice), may we challenge ourselves to take precious moments to breathe and reflect gratefully upon the WARMTH of simple blessings during these final days of 2019.