5 Quick Things #262 🕯🕯
the necessity of wonder, cultural literacy, homemade decor, & a square of fudge
Hey there,
This week the trees around here finally shifted from a dulled green to vibrant orange and red, which I know must be amusing to you if you live anywhere north of me, since the leaves have probably been on the ground for you for at least a month now. But for whatever science-y reason, they’ve taken forever around these parts this year, and the leaves have still mostly held on to their branches (except for the few crunch-worthy outliers on my daily walks).
Our Christmas tree is up and I plan to finish putting on its lights today. We’ve been doing our Advent candle and reading here and there when our schedules allow it and when there’s more or less a quorum (alas, life with teenagers). I’ve been playing my new Advent in the Background playlist in the, well, background as I fold laundry and write a chapter. And I’ve been lighting the cinnamon-y, cider-y, smokey fireplace-y candles I save just for this season.
I think Advent really is my favorite time of year. I love the expectation of Christmas on the way, the change of nature out the window, the chill that requires a jacket (truly, it’s a thing to enjoy down here), and the shared understanding among us that there are certain liberties that are simply called for right now: more candles, more coffee, more music. I love it.
5 Quick Things ☕️
1. I shared with subscribers this week what I think is the best way to burn out on Christmas: “Bingeing on Christmas now is scarfing down Buddy’s spaghetti covered with syrup and candy. Leaning into Advent is sipping a mulled cider and nibbling on a square of fudge.” I’ve made the essay available to the public now, so read at your leisure.
2. I usually side-eye magazine articles that promise decor ideas on a budget because they tend to have different ideas than me on both decor and budget. But this one with 46 Christmas decorating ideas is actually pretty good, if not a tad bit repetitive. If you want to add festivity but want to stay frugal or handmade (or both), just 1-2 of these ideas would fit the bill.
3. Does our technology-everywhere world limit our human capacity and drive for wonder? I think so. No longer do we need to sit with our thoughts while we wait in line, and we don’t need to let a curiosity go unanswered — a quick web search and we know who won the 1964 Olympics in Innsbruck for luge. “Wonder is what happens when we unexpectedly apprehend the marvellous quality of the ordinary.“ I really love these thoughts — I've been slowly mulling on them, which I think is the right thing to do regarding the topic of wonder.
4. The benefits of and need for cultural literacy: “Cultural literacy isn’t knowledge of current events or information that’s only salient to one particular generation; rather, it’s knowledge that has stood the test of time and has stayed in a culture’s consciousness for years, decades, and even centuries.” I agree with every bit of this.
5. And finally, apparently Andrea Bocelli has pretty talented children as well.
Boba, Nerdy Maps, Book Stamps, & Pilgrimages 🎁
I truly do love curating an annual holiday gift guide, and I'm so very grateful when you use it to do your gift shopping. If you like The Commonplace, there's a good chance you'll like at least something on the list — send it to someone who asks you what you want, or use it to check off your own shopping list.
And thank you again! At no extra cost to you, your purchases help keep The Commonplace going.
Currently Reading, Watching, Listening 📻
In the Bleak Midwinter, by John Van Deusen
Quotable 💬
“In the seasons of our Advent—waking, working, eating, sleeping, being—each breath is a breathing of Christ into the world.”
— Caryll Houselander #
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? 🎞
This might be the most controversial question yet asked in these weekly polls. I'm happy to report that 66.1% of you are correct on this important issue.
Find this week’s poll here.
Quick Links 🔗
Become a paying subscriber of The Commonplace (and thank you!)
Join Me + My Family on a Pilgrimage 🎒
A pilgrimage is going to a particular place for a particular inward-focused reason, and there's almost nothing I like doing more on this side of heaven. Kyle and I are leading a week-long, family-friendly summer trip to Ireland in 2023, and we'd love to have you join us!
Families or singles, younger or older, sure in their faith or questioning everything — all are welcome! We've made it as affordable as possible while still experiencing the richness of Irish culture: music, food, high tea, whisky, farming, art, ruin-exploring, and more. It's a trip not to be missed, and it's a great way to make new friends, spend rich time with a loved one, and contemplate the things that really matter over good drinks at a village pub.
Question(s) For You to Ponder… 🤔
What’s one small way you can love your neighborhood this weekend?
Have a good weekend,
Tsh
Tsh, just finished a quick Target run on a dreary gray day, and am enjoying a lovely chai latte thanks to you! Thank you for your kindness, and for your writing which is always a bright spot in my week!