This idea of “Thomasing” reminds me of the movie `Pollyanna’ when they filled up baskets of yummy homemade goods & delivered to their elderly neighbors. I still wonder what calves foot jelly tastes like. 😁
This is really lovely! I will think of ways I can go 'a-Thomasing' in the dark days of our Southern Hemisphere winter in June/July. The Catholic and Anglican churches in my community are joining together today to pack and deliver Christmas hampers to those in need in our community and the whole community has been leaving food for this effort at the local grocery store for the last month. Even the large chains in the bigger cities run their own hamper drives. It's such an easy and practical way to help. Thomasmas is a worthwhile tradition to revive.
I'm so glad you enjoyed - and I love the way your wheels are turning in how to apply it in the Southern Hemisphere's dark days! What a beautiful effort your area's Catholic and Anglican churches are doing to fill the needs of the community.
I've been Advent-ing so much this year, reading in the Scriptures and enjoying the fullness of the First and Second Comings--that I'm not ready yet for Thomasmas. Well, maybe I'm ready, but I'm not prepared! I'm afraid I'm going to miss the deadlines. I'm sure that will be fine, though. Am I the only one who wishes Advent would be longer?
I've also been lamenting how short Advent is this year, and feel caught off-guard by this final week! Your soaking-up of Advent so far sounds absolutely lovely. If it's any comfort, I like to approach all these holidays with a lot of flexibility...in fact, my local 'liturgical ladies' group is planning to celebrate Epiphany toward the end of January, just because that's when we're all available! It'll be late, but still fruitful :)
I chat a bit more about how flexible the calendar can be here:
It is a relatively short Advent this year, with the fourth "week" only lasting a single day before Christmastide is upon us. So, give yourself some grace if you feel a little rushed. :-)
Loved this. Especially the idea of being there for our neighbors(something I’m not very good at--though I did rescue a neighbor’s dog from a ditch once). When my husband almost died last year the neighbors were actually amazing. They stopped what they were doing to devote days to getting our hay in. They also text my husband every time they see predators on the property. My husband shares his maple syrup with everyone on the block. I’m the weakest link in the neighborhood
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading - and like I said, these things are aspirational for me, not descriptive! I'm willing to venture that we all (myself included) feel like the weakest links...but it's amazing how much impact we can have even when we feel weak. :)
I'm not very good at these things either, and have always been an introvert - so trying to figure out how to push myself out of my comfort zone has been a real challenge, but I'm finding that even small things can have a big impact.
Just your thoughtful presence, Adrienne - all you do for your family and your animals and your land, has a massive impact on your neighbors!
And oh my GOODNESS I'd love to hear about your maple syrup!
First, Beautiful and stimulating writing as always. Second, thank you for introducing The Book of Days. Though I certainly didn't need another diversion, it seems a delightful one, and right up my alley. I look forward to enjoying it from here on out.
This idea of “Thomasing” reminds me of the movie `Pollyanna’ when they filled up baskets of yummy homemade goods & delivered to their elderly neighbors. I still wonder what calves foot jelly tastes like. 😁
Ohhhh wow! What a great connection!
I think I remember one neighbor who was a grump about it 😂
This is really lovely! I will think of ways I can go 'a-Thomasing' in the dark days of our Southern Hemisphere winter in June/July. The Catholic and Anglican churches in my community are joining together today to pack and deliver Christmas hampers to those in need in our community and the whole community has been leaving food for this effort at the local grocery store for the last month. Even the large chains in the bigger cities run their own hamper drives. It's such an easy and practical way to help. Thomasmas is a worthwhile tradition to revive.
I'm so glad you enjoyed - and I love the way your wheels are turning in how to apply it in the Southern Hemisphere's dark days! What a beautiful effort your area's Catholic and Anglican churches are doing to fill the needs of the community.
Thanks Kristin. Are community Christmas hampers a custom where you live?
I've been Advent-ing so much this year, reading in the Scriptures and enjoying the fullness of the First and Second Comings--that I'm not ready yet for Thomasmas. Well, maybe I'm ready, but I'm not prepared! I'm afraid I'm going to miss the deadlines. I'm sure that will be fine, though. Am I the only one who wishes Advent would be longer?
I've also been lamenting how short Advent is this year, and feel caught off-guard by this final week! Your soaking-up of Advent so far sounds absolutely lovely. If it's any comfort, I like to approach all these holidays with a lot of flexibility...in fact, my local 'liturgical ladies' group is planning to celebrate Epiphany toward the end of January, just because that's when we're all available! It'll be late, but still fruitful :)
I chat a bit more about how flexible the calendar can be here:
https://www.hearthstonefables.com/p/now-you-all-can-find-the-holy-times
It is a relatively short Advent this year, with the fourth "week" only lasting a single day before Christmastide is upon us. So, give yourself some grace if you feel a little rushed. :-)
This is lovely, I always learn so much from your posts. Kristin, and an excellent reminder to look around and out to see how we can help.
Thank you so much, Jolene!
Loved this. Especially the idea of being there for our neighbors(something I’m not very good at--though I did rescue a neighbor’s dog from a ditch once). When my husband almost died last year the neighbors were actually amazing. They stopped what they were doing to devote days to getting our hay in. They also text my husband every time they see predators on the property. My husband shares his maple syrup with everyone on the block. I’m the weakest link in the neighborhood
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading - and like I said, these things are aspirational for me, not descriptive! I'm willing to venture that we all (myself included) feel like the weakest links...but it's amazing how much impact we can have even when we feel weak. :)
I'm not very good at these things either, and have always been an introvert - so trying to figure out how to push myself out of my comfort zone has been a real challenge, but I'm finding that even small things can have a big impact.
Just your thoughtful presence, Adrienne - all you do for your family and your animals and your land, has a massive impact on your neighbors!
And oh my GOODNESS I'd love to hear about your maple syrup!
First, Beautiful and stimulating writing as always. Second, thank you for introducing The Book of Days. Though I certainly didn't need another diversion, it seems a delightful one, and right up my alley. I look forward to enjoying it from here on out.
Thank you so much, Jason - I'm so glad you enjoyed reading! And YAY for the Book of Days! It's definitely the most delightful of diversions.