Saturday, November 27, 2004
first sunday in advent
Two years ago, I learnt to walk again. I used to walk from A to B. Fast. That was the Steve Taylor walk.
Kayli, who was two at the time, taught me to walk again. For a two year old, a walk around the block is never getting from A to B, fast.
For a 2 year old, a walk around the block
is to walk at a new pace
to balance along a block wall
to jump off the block wall to investigate a snail
to backtrack to chase a leaf
to pause because her legs are sore
to sprint for the corner yelling “race yah”
walking with a two year old is learning to walk at a new pace.
To walk with a 2 year old around the block
is learning to listen to the detail
to ask, Dad can I walk along the wall?
to ask, Dad how did the snail die?
to ask, Dad can you carry this leaf home for me, and this flower, and this stick?
learning to listen to the detail.
Two years ago, my 2 year old taught me to walk again. This Advent, we face the choice, to walk from here to Christmas fast, or to learn to walk again, with a new pace, and listening for the Christmas detail.
)
Interesting concept. The commercialisation of Christmas has driven me to hate December, which is a sad thing. Lucky for my kids my wife always foccuses on advent for the month of December – maybe it’s time for me to sit down and let them teach me?
Comment by OnScreen — November 29, 2004 @ 10:42 am
Poignant comments. I like the idea of a Christmas fast and learning to walk a different way.
Btw, I found an interesting site that promotes a “No Buy Christmas”. You can find links to it right now at my blog.
Shalom!
Comment by Rich — November 30, 2004 @ 2:04 pm
even slower than the speed God walks at – 3 miles / hour – fab((;-))
Comment by paul T — December 2, 2004 @ 7:33 am
even slower than the speed God walks at – 3 miles / hour – fab((;-))
Comment by paul T — December 2, 2004 @ 7:33 am