Sanctuary

If you're feeling a bit toxic after all the Black Friday events, I invite you to find Sanctuary with me.
Tomorrow is the first Sunday in Advent; and my favorite Christmas Place on earth is here, at Canaan in the Desert.



Canaan is home to a Lutheran order of sisters, The Evangelical Sisters of Mary.  Their main convent in Darmstadt Germany was begun by 2 women who loved the arts, but who wanted more. That's what initially drew me there.

Canaan at Christmas, (for me) is sort of like....
*The magic of the Kristkindle Markt,
*Simplified down to honor the Christ Child,
* peopled with friendly sisters (singing in 3 part harmony) ,
*who gift you with small, inspirational messages.  
That's what I find at Canaan for Christmas;
Sanctuary for my Child Heart.

There is a manger in the Chapel, different every year for Christmas.
A lovely, vulnerable sculpture of baby Jesus lies in his crib, available for hugging and holding by small children.
(and yes, adults can pick him up and snuggle him too)

They are also, by trhe way, masters at handling very small rambunctious children.

At Christmas, the sisters make brilliant little paper stars with heart warming messages.

We used to put them everywhere;
trees, windows, in Christmas cards, on presents....
They also have a CD called "Adoration at the Manger".  The purity and beauty of this original music will lift and fill your spirit all through Advent, and into the following year.

Here is a link to Mother Basilea's Christmas Message, which I found on the web.

Every child of God needs Sanctuary; you included.
I wish you and your child heart a very happy Advent journey to find it!