Earlier this week, I went to a yoga class where the teacher mentioned that there were eight more days where the light would get shorter, and then we will start having longer days again.
As I have mentioned before, Quakers traditionally do not celebrate Christmas. In fact, there was a very funny post by Rob P recently about ways Quakers did not celebrate "the day called Christmas."
But I feel like, in this part of the world, it is nearly impossible not to participate in Advent. As the days get shorter, we wait and hope for light and warmth, and believe that those things will come.
This year, my family has had its own small-scale advent, waiting for my sister to give birth to her first son. He was not due until early January, but he had plans of his own and arrived early this morning.
Joshua H, born at 5:08 a.m., 7 pounds, 7 ounces
So now the waiting is over, and we can celebrate. In the past few hours, this new baby has brought joy to family and friends. I am looking forward to going to Anchorage on Wednesday to meet my new nephew, and I think we are all excited to get to know him.
Regardless of whether you celebrate a holiday this time of year or not, I wish you joy and love and light.
Blessings,
Ashley