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Somehow my "Advent" got co-opted by Passover: "Why is this night different from all other nights?" Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I RARELY get sick - Rarely as in NEVER. Until recently, I couldn't remember the last time. But on the evening of November 30th, I just felt "off". The next day I was supposed to help a neighbor decorate our lobby Christmas tree. I called to say that I just didn't feel up to it - maybe tomorrow. I slept all day. The next day I got out my Covid tests. Sure enough - positive. Good thing I did not go out and about. I went online and immediately scheduled a Saturday evening telehealth video conference, & arranged for a Paxlovid Rx that I could pick up Sunday at a drive-by pharmacy. So, I was "on retreat" this Advent. How long? 10 days till a negative test.

In this time of war, I am grateful that I am winning my personal battle: no temperature. I have had good weapons and good leadership: my boosters, my Paxlovid, and my medical personnel. I am not decimated by the enemy. I seek to connect with the Christmas/Epiphany angels who will know how to negotiate safe travels, not to Egypt, but maybe door-knocking, a safe liturgy, and some limited shopping to keep the home-fires burning. We live in hope.

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I went online to get some more free Covid tests. I had 3 remaining so that got me through 6 days. Don't have any? Get some:  https://www.covid.gov/tools-and-resources/resources/tests They are extremely IMPORTANT and FREE. If you haven't got any since September 25th, you get to put in two orders. Make them your Hannukah/Christmas/holiday present to self. If you want some good stocking stuffers, I highly recommend the light reflectors you can wrap around your arms and a light stick. Drivers will be very grateful to you. I got mine long ago as giveaways at expos. Much appreciated. Prevention is so much better than cure, just like foresight is preferable to "hindsight". Certainly "light" is a very real part of the season.

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I am very blessed that I seem to have all of my bases covered. I have been assured of support from my Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic friends. Happy to have this venture in the rearview mirror. I have a friend whose mother came down with it, and it took a lot out of her, and she passed away. So, just remember, it's NOT over.
 

Last year there was an advertisement for something that promised me that "this will be your best Advent ever". I kind of hope that 2023 will not be the measuring stick, but who am I to say.

Each Advent can only be itself, unique, like us. Incomparable. We must listen deeply and respond to the needs seen in this time, this day, and we do not even need to "see clearly" to "follow more nearly". That is reassuring. We can certainly think of Mary and her encounter with Gabriel. Our Advocate will always be with us in the choosing. (Case in point: Our Advocate helped me to choose Banksy's Nativity Scene two years ago - prescient. Clearly, She whispers to Banksy too. She whispers to Everyone. "Day by day..." And did you know that the words to that song from Godspell were written by St. Richard of Chichester in the 13th Century? Our Advocate excels at song-writing. And notice how much the singer with her flower crown looks like a Ukrainian girl with her "vinok"... And shades of Banksy too. Our Advocate has a very expansive and eclectic "playlist".
 

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