Make it Monday | Santa Lucia

Activity, Bible, Chronic Illness, Culture, Foods, Gender, General, Holidays, Make it Monday, Personal Thoughts, Recipes, Seasons, Self-care

Whenever I say, ‘Santa Lucia,’ I can’t help picturing – and, frankly, hearing – Don Knots attempting to sing the traditional Italian song as Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show. So many other, better singers have recorded it, but for some reason, Knots’ is the version that sticks in my head.

However, that was not my first interaction with the celebration known as the Feast Day of St. Lucy. I first learned about the primarily Swedish holiday from Kristen’s Surprise, one of the books in Kristen’s American Girl series. Being part Swede and part Italian myself, Santa Lucia Day has become a holiday that fascinates me.

Make it Monday | St. Nick

Activity, Culture, Holidays, Make it Monday

It’s Christmastime! To start off the first week of Advent, let’s talk Santa. Before pictures of the jolly, old elf with the red suit jump to mind, I’d like to take us back a few centuries. First, however, here’s a little background on Advent, which will inform our topics the next several weeks.

A Writer’s Advent – Peace

Culture, God's Character, Holidays, Personal Thoughts, Thoughts on Writing, Writing Spot

It’s that most wonderful time of the year. But even with lights, family, presents, holiday movies, and great food, one emotion often eludes us: Peace. We can have everything on our wish list, but that settled calm seems to slip through our fingers.

The Writer’s Advent – Joy

Culture, Family, Holidays, Personal Thoughts, Thoughts on Writing, Writing Spot

Joy, an emotion that lights up the eyes of a child when they open a gift to find their dreams come true. It fills the soul like a warm cup of soup on a winter’s night. It switches out wrinkles for smile lines on the eldest person’s face. No time is joy more easily come by, nor taken away, as at Christmas.

The Writer’s Advent: Love

Bible, Culture, Holidays, Personal Thoughts, Storytelling, Thoughts on Writing, Writing Spot

Love. What better topic to cover during this Christmas Season? As writers, we cover the topic of love from many different angles. It’s a desire that drives a character to good or evil. The reason behind a character’s action. Of course, there’s romantic love. So what makes Christmas Love even more special?

A Writer’s Advent: Hope

God's Character, Holidays, Personal Thoughts, Thoughts on Writing, Writing Spot

I love the Christmas season. It is a time when a child’s wonder is most allowed in adults. Lights sparkle on every street corner. Cheer is in the air. Snow is even more welcome. It is at this time of year, amid all the trials and tribulations of adulthood, that we can take a few weeks to remember the innocence and joy of childhood.