St. Luke's Blogs

My husband and I have recently set a goal to visit as many state and national parks as we can. We have had all sorts of amazing adventures that have included day trips to parks nearby and longer road adventures to national parks on our bucket list.

Our recent trips have taken us to the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the desolate fields of pinon, cliffrose, and mesquite throughout the Mojave Desert leading into Zion National Park. One thing that was extra special was recently viewing the Harvest Moon from the absolute darkness of an isolated national park. I think my city living had made me forget what it is like to see a night sky in a really dark place. Absolutely amazing! It took my breath away to see so much when there was not one artificial light around, only the reflective light from the moon and stars!

I have a confession to make: I have not once, in all of my Advent Seasons with St. Luke’s, lit a single candle on the Advent wreath. It is not because I don’t love the practice or celebration of Advent, or even that I am forgetful. The truth is that I am currently in the season of my life where I have a wild 2-year-old and a brand new baby who have blessed our family immensely. With that comes my full attention to the point where I am not even sure how we will resurrect our tree this year, much less take a moment to reflect on the birth of our Savior with the intimate lighting of our precious candles…

My mom was one of 10 children, so I have many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Some of my favorite Christmas memories are when we gathered at my grandparent’s modest home to celebrate. We’d have a turkey dinner, prepared by my grandmother and the other women in the family. I always sat at the “kid’s table” and loved sharing a meal with my cousins. This time spent with family was priceless!

Our family had these annual gatherings at the request of my grandmother, the true matriarch of the family. She was a kind, loving woman and lived her life by the Bible. My grandfather was the fun one, always looking for ways to entertain others. He liked playing games and enjoyed practical jokes. They both loved spending time with family!

My grandparents were married over 50 years and endured struggles with finances, health, and other challenges…

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year due, in large part, to the music!  I’ve played and sung Christmas music every year since I was a child and so many of the songs never get old. As an adult, the music of Advent is especially meaningful. Advent is such a beautiful season of the church calendar as we reflect on the coming of Emmanuel – God with us.

A Christmas carol that has remained one of my favorites since childhood is O Holy Night, a beloved ‘standard’ in the Christmas music repertoire. As a musician, I am moved by the impressive vocal range and beautiful harmonies, demanding respectable vocal skill to perform. As a Christian, however, I am more deeply moved by the message of the song…

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7

When I was growing up, the Christmas story always bothered me that the innkeeper couldn’t find a place for Mary and Joseph to stay. Standing in front of him was a pregnant woman about to give birth to her first son and a better place couldn’t be found than a barn for her to stay in? It seemed to me that he could have found more mercy in his heart and better accommodations for her.

Truthfully, the Christmas story never tells us that the innkeeper put them in a barn…

Traditions are my favorite part of the Christmas season. Every year, I watch the same holiday movies, eat the same Christmas Eve meal, and visit the same family members on Christmas Day.

A particular tradition that has always struck me for its beauty and simplicity is the Norwegian tradition of Santa Lucia Day, held every year on December 13th.  It is told that Saint Lucy, a Sicilian woman, wore a laurel wreath crown adorned with candles to light the way for persecuted Christians hiding in the darkened tunnels of Italy. The Scandinavian version says that she was a young woman who delivered baked goods to surrounding farms on the longest night of the year, what was then believed to be December 13, wearing a white robe, red sash, and a crown of lights, with a torch lighting her path…

There is joy and excitement in the sights and sounds of Christmas all around us. Beautiful decorations and lights on homes, businesses, parks, and streets. The calendar fills up with special events in our community and churches or with family and friends. If we look around, we see that for many there is a great anticipation and a hopeful expectancy of something good to celebrate and treasures to unpack during this season.

But our world is also weary and troubled, and there are times that the season doesn’t feel as joyful, exciting, or merry as we would want to feel…

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. – Luke 1:46-55

This proclamation comes after Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her she will conceive Jesus. She asks “How will this be?” and Gabriel tells her that her cousin, Elizabeth, who was aging and barren, was also bearing a child. This was done so she could glimpse God’s power, and believe. Mary rushed to see her cousin…

Advent is a season of waiting, preparation, and expectation for the incarnation of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Advent means “coming.” The mysterious beauty of the incarnation, God made flesh, captivates us. Not only does this season symbolize the expectation of Jesus’ first coming, but it is also a reflection of the longing of our hearts for the day when all things will be made new. The incarnation of Christ reveals this to us and is wonderfully portrayed through the age-old carol, O Holy Night.

I have wonderful memories of singing this beautiful song on Christmas Eve, and while there are many Advent and Christmas hymns that touch me, O Holy Night is the one that captures my heart. Truly, Christmas Eve would not be complete without singing O Holy Night. The music composition has huge swells that seem to lift you up to where the stars are brightly shining and carries you to the place that you want to fall on your knees in adoration.

One of my favorite memories took place at McFarlin Church in Norman…

In the midst of the twinkling lights and festive melodies that fill the air during the Advent season, it’s easy to be swept away by the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday. However, as followers of faith, it’s crucial to intentionally carve out moments for the sacred amidst the celebrations. Let this Advent season be more than a season of presents; let it be a season of presence – the presence of the divine in our lives.

I like to think of the stillness of that holy night when the Savior was born. The shepherds, diligent in their duties, were granted a divine interruption. They were about to witness something extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary…