Category Archives: Christmas

Enough

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“My husband and I met with our financial advisor,” a friend said at a New Year’s Eve party. “He told us we’ve saved enough money, and we should start spending it.” After a life of carefully saving for retirement, she could hardly … Continue reading →

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Epiphany

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Mid-November one lone blossom adorned my Christmas cactus. By Advent it was fuller than ever. It continued to blossom during the Christmas season and into Epiphany. Directees commented on it when they came, and I sat beside this bush, which was burning with … Continue reading →

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Christmas: As Is

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I wonder if Joseph was peeved when Mary, between contractions, ordered him to close the door then, as soon as he did, wanted it open again. I wonder if, in that chorus of angels, one or two sang flat and if some shepherds –feeling … Continue reading →

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Satisfying the Desires of All

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“Insights are a dime a dozen,” Father Richard explained to the small gathering of spiritual directors last Sunday afternoon. “It doesn’t matter so much what an experience in prayer means; what matters is that we stay with God in it.” Relief washed … Continue reading →

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Where I Am

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” sings Andy Williams over the store’s loud speakers. I can’t get out of the mall fast enough. On my walk home, I remember that it’s the second week of Advent, and we still haven’t put up our … Continue reading →

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Gifts

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

On December 23, I was in Value Village when I remembered I needed to buy one last Christmas gift. I perused the books in the Religion and Spirituality section and came across two pristine copies of Ann Voskamp’s devotional, One Thousand … Continue reading →

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Uninvited Guests

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

On Christmas we entertained family and friends for most of the day. We enjoyed every guest that came. But visitors are not always easy to have around. They may come late, stay too long, or forget what they promised to bring. Inevitably someone will do something that unsettles … Continue reading →

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The Word Became Flesh

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Emmanuel when Jesus came he didn’t sneak in through the back door of poverty selling magic tricks for applause no Jesus came poor entered every day of every life and never left The Word became flesh and blood,     and moved into … Continue reading →

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What If Mary Had Said, “No”?

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she had found favour with God and was going to give birth to God’s son. Mary wondered how this could possibly be true since she was a virgin but responded with … Continue reading →

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A Problem of Orientation and Proximity

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel … Continue reading →

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