Category Archives: Advent

Paradox: Advent Word 13

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Boz

Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit—Divine Subcommittee for Selection of Advent Words—are having a good chuckle as they watch from on high the consternation of avid participants in their program, all of whom are scratching our heads as we ponder … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, hasten, John Donne, paradox, pardox, poetry, St. Francis of Assisi | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Patience: Advent Word 12

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Boz

Advent is all about waiting. However, I don’t believe it was standing in lines at Walmart, checking the door every five minutes for the UPS man, or even children sleeping with one eye open on Christmas Eve that inspired today’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, patience | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Truth: Advent Word 11

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Boz

Postmodernism as articulated in the mid-20th century was bad enough—bad enough, in fact, to persuade me not to pursue a PhD in English when I realized how thoroughly that philosophy of deconstruction, epistemological and moral relativism, and rejection of meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, religion, scripture, truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Valley: Advent Word 10

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Boz

When I think of scriptural valleys, my mind always goes first to the 23rd Psalm, memorized in King James majesty as a child in Sunday school: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, valley | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wait without Hope: Advent Word 9

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Boz

At a loss for words In truth, today’s official Advent Word is herald. However, other than a vain effort at wordplay because of the homophonic association with my father’s name, Harold, I could think of nothing original to offer for this … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, poetry, T. S. Eliot | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Glory: Advent Word 8

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Boz

I often get my ideas for these assignments with a quick round of  “Advent Word Association.” Today, the first thought that came to mind was the poignant plea of the once and future king at the end of Camelot. Addressing the boy … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, glory | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Awake: Advent Word 7

Posted on December 9, 2023 by Boz

Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” was first performed  on November 25, 1731, the 27th Sunday after Trinity. Based on the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13), this message of this stunning cantata … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, Bach, music | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Watch: Advent Word 6

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Boz

Words are my lifeblood, so I want to understand them deeply and fully–to know them and to own them. Thus, I frequently consult the Online Etymology Dictionary, a favorite site for enriching my store of words as I explore their … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, church, etymology, language, religion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Grace: Advent Word 5

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Boz

I delight in volubility and could write thousands of words on the idea of grace, so antithetical to American culture beginning with our Puritan forefathers and continuing right through the rugged individuals of the frontier. However, I also delight in … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Advent Word, catechism, grace | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peace: Advent Word 4B

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Boz
Posted in Advent, peace | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment