Advent Vespers at Valparaiso University

A couple of weeks ago we (Mich and our kids) attended advent vespers at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University. I told you I was behind on blogging. It was a beautiful experience. As I'd mentioned before, we don't come from a ritual-rich church background but I feel it's important to experience it occasionally as a way of focusing on God's holiness and on the rich traditions of the Church.

I had never attended any services at Valpo's Chapel so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had spent some time poking around their website which explained the meaning behind the different parts of the church, including the stained glass windows, the baptismal font, and the crucifix. I was eager to see them for myself. Also, this advent vespers focused on using a variety of art forms to express the message of the Gospel. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know this is something that fascinates me. So I was excited to see how this would play out.

Unfortunately, we were late so we didn't get to see the visual arts displayed on the ground floor of the chapel. But the combination of church ritual, candlelight, dancing, classical organ music, university choir, hand bells, and orchestra, along with Scripture readings made for a rich spiritual and sensory experience. Even Calvin remained entranced for the full hour and 45 minutes. I have to admit, when the choir came up to the balcony where we were seated and surrounded us and began singing, I started crying at the beauty of the voices so unique and yet so perfectly on pitch. I was so touched.

Another thing I treasured about the evening was the printed programs. Many of the visual works were reprinted in the Order of Service, along with wonderful quotes about faith and art, and the words to the songs. This is something that I will keep by my desk and refer to often for inspiration.

I think we have found another tradition to add to our Christmas, one that is full of meaning.

Winter Wonderland

We got our first substantial snow last night, as in, the school's were delayed opening two hours, and I got to stay home from work. I think we ended up with six inches of beautiful powder. Makes me want to go skiing, except for the fact that Indiana is so flat.

Our Black Lab, Charlie, was so funny when I let him out this morning. He pranced around the snow in the back yard like a horse, clearing trying to figure out what had happened and what he was supposed to do with this stuff.

For my part, I sat in the parking lot last night with my Starbucks watching these perfect snowflakes fall in the light of the lampposts, looking like glittery sugar and watching their perfect little snowflake selves on my windshield. I know my goal this winter will be to get pictures of snowflakes.




But for now, you get the oak tree in my front yard and some mock cherry bush in my back yard. I was hoping it'd keep it's bright red leaves when it snowed because I think that would look so pretty, but alas it was not to be.



On another note, this is a picture of the tree of boxes that is our Advent calendar. When you pull the box out with the date (and eat the chocolate inside!) you reverse the box and put it back in to make some sort of scene. The kids love it. Me too, actually.