On a small table next to the window in my dining room, there sits a dead plant. It hasn’t always been a dead plant. For several weeks now it has been a dying plant. Sometime in the last few weeks, the exact moment unnoticed by me, it crossed the line between dying and dead. Now it sits there, sadly shriveled up, its leaves brown and lifeless.

What a week! As I sat down to write this email, I had difficulty choosing a topic from an abundance of subjects worthy of reflection.

When I was in third grade, my best friend, Vicki, was African-American. Young, naïve and color-blind, I didn’t understand why her mother felt it necessary after a play date invitation was extended, to call my mother and make sure that my parents were aware of the color of their family’s skin. I was reminded of this experience while looking ahead to next week.

 Words for reflection as you head into the weekend.

If you step out of your house at this time of year, it is tempting to believe that Christmas is over. Christmas decorations are being stowed away and Valentine’s Day merchandise is appearing in stores. I am reluctant to let go of Christmas so easily, preferring to observe the liturgical calendar, according to which we are still in the Christmas season until the celebration of Epiphany on Tuesday. This weekend I encourage you to continue feeling the spirit of Christmas and look forward to Epiphany.

Most "Daily Voice" readers live in North America, in the time of year when the sun seems distant and days become shorter. The promised coming of the child we sing about in songs like, "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" mirrors the promise that shortly after December 21st, the days will again seem to lengthen. It’s easy for us to think of Christ’s coming as synonymous with the return of the sun.

If you happen to be in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 21, you might stop by First United Methodist Church, sit in quiet contemplation and mark the Winter Solstice. First Church is an appropriate location because, as the northernmost United Methodist church on earth, the parishioners will see only 3 hours, 42 minutes of daylight that day. ...

I love Advent and Christmas. I value the traditions that my family has developed for celebrating Jesus’ birth. Still, at times I am overwhelmed by the busyness and commercialism that can so easily predominate this time of year. Recently, a friend of mine shared a book that helped me remember the role each one of us plays in the Christmas story.

When I have taught Disciple Bible Study, one of my favorite lessons comes the week we discuss the little story about the poor widow in Luke 20:41-21:4 (a text that isn't part of the Sunday lectionary cycle , but which does come up about this time of year in some daily readings). As a collector of ancient coins, it's a story I'm very interested in. The text is one that is frequently misunderstood. The common interpretation many people have about the story, my classmates typically decide, is that we are to be generous to the point of being selfless, just like the widow. ...

On this day after a national holiday focused on giving thanks (remember it’s not just about eating) I find it appropriate to reflect on gratitude. Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines gratitude as a “state of being grateful”. Gratitude is more than just an attitude, or a few moments spent once a year counting our blessings. It is a state of being – a way of living.

 I’m working on eliminating a word from my vocabulary, and it’s really hard. No, not a word of the 4-letter variety or a slang word that the youth remind me is years out of date. The word I’m trying not to use (at least in my "church life") is “volunteer.” It’s a word I’ve used a lot in the past, but I’ve decided it’s time to break the habit.