A bell on a cat often is there to serve as a warning to birds that a lethal predator is coming. But then, it could equally well be a little holiday celebration, a reminder that Santa’s reindeer with their belled harnesses are on their way.
What are you listening for?
We are told “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” and “looks can be deceiving.” Certainly it’s worth remembering that what’s on the inside matters more than what you see on the surface. But the way a gift is presented can be a gift in itself, an act of love that makes something special from the moment it is encountered.
What do you take care to wrap or present beautifully?
“Gracious acceptance is an art – an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving…. Accepting another person’s gift is allowing him to express his feelings for you.”
―Alexander McCall Smith
Who has given you a gift through their gracious acceptance of something you had to offer?
For the third week of Advent a pink, or rose colored, candle is lit, representing joy. It doesn’t really signify seeing the world through rose-colored lenses, but would it really be so terrible if you did?
What is currently bringing you joy?
The bright berries of the pyracantha bush draw in the birds, who not only gorge themselves, but also get drunk off a mild toxin in the berries. It seems that people are not the only ones who can’t resist a seasonal overindulgence. Just be careful not to imbibe and fly into windows.
What is your favorite holiday indulgence?
