There's a devotional book upon which this blog is loosely based. It's from the Book of Faith series by Augsburg Fortress entitled "Advent Reflections: I Wonder As I Wander."

That's about where the similarities end. Last week the book called us to "Wonder about Hope," and this week welcomes us to "Wonder about Love." This week's texts for Advent Days 8 and 9 in some ways remind me of a family moment this past week...teaching each other how to play chess...

Lately my family has been into puzzles. As in anything we humans do, the picture on the puzzle sometimes says something about the person/s piecing them together...

"Even as I wonder, I'm keeping you in sight...!"

"Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness..."

I've been thinking of both these verses - the latter from Paul's 2nd letter to the Corinthians (chapter 3), and the former from REO Speedwagon's '80s hit, "I Can't Fight this Feeling."

Both embody an infectious hope, and both remind me of Advent, as we wait anxiously for what comes next...