My husband and I have mostly given up Christmas. Because of the increase in materialism, not because we’ve become Scrooges. Finding true meaningful spirituality amidst the commercial trappings became increasingly difficult. So for several years we did little during the holidays. Then I began to look at Advent. And I found what I call theContinueContinue reading “Advent: the Missing Piece of Christmas”
Tag Archives: celebrations
Giving Thanks for Providence
Autumn here in Italy is a special season, one of my favorites! In small towns, like ours, the smell of wood smoke hangs in the crisp, clean air. Grapes are fermenting into fine wines. And olives, pressed into green gold, glisten in their bottles. But as an American, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. Even thoughContinueContinue reading “Giving Thanks for Providence”
Roman Summers & Ottobrate Romane
Autumn in Italy is a wonderful season! Mostly warm and balmy – almost warm enough for sunbathing through the first part of November. It’s known as Italy’s Roman Summer, similar to the Indian Summer we used to enjoy back in the USA. But since the early 1900s, Roman summer has been the season for special harvestContinueContinue reading “Roman Summers & Ottobrate Romane”
Happy Ferragosto!
What better way to wind up the hottest part of summer than with a Ferragosto post, right? Still, I can hear you asking, “Ferragosto? What in the world is that?” Well, it means August vacation. And it’s the official celebration day (on August 15) of the summer vacation from work. Ferragosto is a holiday periodContinueContinue reading “Happy Ferragosto!”
Bringing Christ Back into Christmas
It starts earlier and earlier every year, the hype and commercialism. Christmas stuff and Halloween gore side by side in the stores. Ads, articles, and movies all working to make us think we’re missing out on the perfect Christmas. The search for the perfect celebration can make Christmas a frenzy of stress and rush. TheContinueContinue reading “Bringing Christ Back into Christmas”
Have Yourself a Merry Little Five-Hand Christmas!
“Merry and bright? With all the economic woes, inflation, and instability around us? A bright and merry Christmas seems unlikely this year. In fact, celebrating at all in the midst of it all seems nearly impossible, let alone trying to make it merry and bright! And forget about Christmas gifts! So this year I haveContinueContinue reading “Have Yourself a Merry Little Five-Hand Christmas!”