It is midweek and I'm ready to show you another in-between kind of image. Here we have another wilderness or hillside view on the way somewhere, maybe between towns or between Bethlehem and Egypt, between Herod and Herod.

This is an in-between season for us --an in-between time, for Advent started last Sunday, Thanksgiving is behind us, Christmas looms ahead, and people are busy with their Christmas activities. You and I are writing cards, sending the annual update newsletters, decorating the house, buying presents for loved ones, friends and coworkers, going to parties, planning events and generally very involved in these busy, end of year sorts of obligations. Some people get overwhelmed and very stressed out! An in-between time but not at all what it is supposed to be about.

But in these crazy moments we have opportunities to straighten out our paths. To make the mountains low and fill up the valleys. You can celebrate the true meaning of what is coming without all that stuff. 

I've indicated again in this picture, and in others, some people resting in the shadow of the big tree. It could be husband and wife or just a couple of travelers, and maybe a donkey --taking a break on their sojourn from one place to another. It could be just like you and me --not saying anyone is a jackass, but if the horseshoe fits...? 

Thanks for taking a break here. I'll begin to show you images of this coming Sunday's annunciation painting tomorrow. Glad you are looking in.

Pastor Jack