Colors of Christmas | Jesse Tree

When most people in America think about Christmas, visions of reds and greens (and maybe sugar plum fairies) dance in their heads. This is likely because sometime in autumn, stores begin to fill their shelves with glittering reds, shiny greens, and banners of “Happy...

It’s All About the Food!

When I think back to Christmases from my childhood, lots of memories come to mind: the Advent Calendar (complete with gifts) that my grandma would send every year, decorating the tree, sorting (and counting) our presents with my brothers on almost a daily basis,...

The Ornament Exchange

Christmas was coming and we had been dealing with some major life changes, resulting in a tough financial situation for my husband and me. Our children were all starting out with families of their own too. As our family gathered for Thanksgiving, we decided that the...

#MeToo

Lest you’ve been under a rock of late, #MeToo has become a hashtag for social outrage against sexual assault and harassment. #MeToo had the initial purpose to tell others on social media that they had experienced what an estimated—and astonishing—one in three women...

Walking in His Steps Through the Holidays

It happens every October. I see Christmas decorations and slashed prices on almond bark, and I stiffen. Then commit. This year will be different. This season I will walk in his steps through the holidays. Because here’s the thing. I can get tripped up by Hallmark...