Guideposts Dec/Jan 2022

As I write this, a number of weeks before you read it, the days are getting noticeably shorter, darkness coming on earlier, especially out here in the Berkshires, where the old hills swallow the light even before the sun sets. Interesting then that one of our editors reading through the proofs of this issue said, “Hey, this is the issue of light!” The nature of light has always befuddled me. How can it be both particle and wave? I’ve been trying to grasp that fundamental duality since I took Physics for Poets at the University of Michigan to satisfy the science requirement. It reminds me of that loopy novelty song from the 1950s you might remember: “Istanbul was Constantinople. Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople….” This confusion is not new to…

* Get Boost your spiritual wellbeing! Visit guideposts.org for web-exclusive stories, life advice, prayer tips, recipes and more.  * Watch Kristin Chenoweth (page 36) shares what she loves about GUIDEPOSTS and takes us back to her first audition for a Christmas singing role at church at guideposts.org/kristinchenoweth.  * Learn Want to start exercising? Noa Shaw (page 42) is here to help—and inspire! He offers tips for beginners and discusses the spiritual benefits of exercise. Watch our video at guideposts.org/noashaw.  * Explore Take a tour of Leavenworth, Washington, aka the Village of Lights (page 20). Hear from local business owners and the director of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum—one of the largest of its kind in the world! Check out our exclusive video at guideposts.org/leavenworth.  * Connect Join the growing Guideposts online…

“Gratitude is the grace that makes the blessings flow.”LEVAR BURTON, actor and television host “Give! Consideration, patience, love. Making the world a better place begins with you!”actor DENNIS HAYSBERT “The man who built that manger had one purpose in mind… God has another. You’ll never know how far-reaching God’s plan is for your work.”MARK HART, author, speaker, cohost of The Catholic Guy Show on SiriusXM “Regrets are a waste of time… when there’s so much beauty and love and humor in this world.”RITA MORENO, EGOT-winning actor “No emptiness ever stays empty. Empty places always fill.”ANN VOSKAMP, author “May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.”as seen on Pinterest “The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a…

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”—LUKE 2:14 (NLT) During the Christmas season, I hang a marquee sign across our carport that lights up the word PEACE. This year when I turned it on, it read ACE. I have another sign next to our fireplace that reads JOY, but the J was out, leaving us with only OY. So I decided to buy some new lighting that spelled out HOPE. The letters arrived yesterday. No H. Just OPE. What a reflection on my life! Searching for complete peace, joy and hope but not quite there yet. This is where Jesus comes in. Into my brokenness. Our brokenness. With the brightness of his love. The One who was born in a…

PASS IT ON WARM WISHES GO AROUND It was the last day of school before Christmas break. One of my second-grade students came up to my desk and asked me to help her read the card I’d given her. “I love how everybody’s card has a different picture on the front,” she told me. “It makes all of the cards feel special.” Rather than give my students identical cards out of a brand-new box, I saved up the Christmas cards I’d been given. I cut off the colorful front of each card and wrote personalized messages on the back, turning the cards into unique holiday postcards. Several students told me this was the first Christmas card they’d ever gotten that was addressed to them specifically. I’ve done the same thing…

Do you struggle with negative thoughts…about yourself? Do you say things to yourself that you would never say to a friend or loved one? It’s an easy habit to get into, but it takes a toll on your spiritual well-being. We’ve put together 15 tips for developing positive self-talk. Try one or more each day and learn to be kinder to yourself. 1 Reflect on past experiences. Your brain can replay your mistakes or other people’s criticism. Understanding the source of negative self-talk is key. 2 Say something nice about yourself. Better yet, ask a friend or family member to describe your positive attributes. Be sure to return the favor! MORE POSITIVITY ONLINE Check out the interactive version of this challenge at guideposts.org/positveselftalk 3 Believe compliments. Don’t dismiss someone’s kind words about you.…