20 days till Christmas--bridges beckon

Covered bridge, 5 by 7 watercolor

Bridges beckon to be crossed--symbols of journeys, of future hopes and past adventures.
If you've lived in the upper Midwest, or traveled to New England, the covered bridges speak of an earlier, slower time, of connecting with friends and loved ones. There's a hint of mystery to them, inviting you to enter, to experience something almost emotional.
It's no wonder that the word "bridge" in English is a translation from a Latin word that also gives us the word  "priest."  French is closest with "pont,"  also giving us "pontiff." 
Bridges for the journey between the earthly and the eternal. Deep down essence of Christmas.

21 days to Christmas--mass time

Mass time, 5 by 7 watercolor

Sunday. 21 days to Christmas--"Christ mass."
While the intricate liturgy and practice is foreign to me, its tradition and deep meaning to millions of people around the world commands my respect.
The word "mass" itself tells much about the season and day. Old English "mæsse" was derived from   from Latin "missa," which was in use by the Sixth Century, meaning a "sending, a dismissal" "sending toward God. Other older origins are possible, from Hebrew and Greek words meaning "unleavened bread" or "initiation," respectively. All seem appropriate. 
In this hectic, commercial season, it helps to slow down and think about "Christ mass," and on a Sunday, about "going to mass."

22 days til Christmas--mailbox

Across the miles--5 by 7 watercolor

Mailbox.
Not the annoying digital one full of spam and boring business and official stuff you scan through and delete.
The real one, sometimes actually box-shaped.
Sure, it's most often full of sales stuff and other junk mail, and bills. My first stop after walking down to the street to get the daily mail is at the garbage "can" to dump a majority of it instead of bringing it inside.
But there is always the anticipation, especially at this time of year, that there will be an envelope with handwriting on it--a letter or a card from a friend or loved one across the miles and years.
Isn't that the first thing you notice? What you hoped for? The first thing ripped open and eagerly read?
Interesting that in these days of instant mail, and free long distance phone and "texting," that real mail has become more valued, more anticipated.
If you live in rural areas,  it grows even more as you trek down the land to the mailbox beside the road.
Why? Isn't it actually touching another person's personality and being in a part of their presence?
Why else the anticipation and sudden emotional lift when you get "real" mail in a real "mailbox"

23 days till Christmas--Wood smoke

Wood smoke, the smell of a season, 5 by 7 watercolor

Winter sets in,
Christmas thoughts
like wood smoke...
The smell of wood smoke
especially pinon
but any other, in the fireplace
or at a campsite
brings peace and memories.
Step outside
even in suburbia,
And the whiff of wood smoke
makes you warm inside
Or as it warms a room
or a camp
or a backyard
Isn't that what
we need?
The smell of a season

24 days till Christmas--before Christmas

Long before Christmas, Taos Pueblo, 5 by 7 watercolor

As December begins
on our calendar,
These people were
before Christianity did
Taos Pueblo, before
Western religion arrived
Still an icon of "civilization"
Longest inhabited place
in our "Christian" country
Taos Pueblo
Must be painted
but not understood
Only revered
As a beacon
of spirituality
Not religion
older than
Christmas