Redheadedrev

2025 in Books

Inspired by all the end of the year posts, I offer my “bests” in books. Thanks to audiobooks, I read or listened to 55 books this year. Included are links to books at bookshop.org, if you want to read more about them, and some author’s sites. My “to read” list is still quite long, but I am always open to your suggestions!

Physical Books

Fiction

The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm. The genre romantasy is new to me. The McDonald siblings had been reading and discussing, so I jumped on the band wagon. So good! Dragons, a different world, romance, war, but it is definitely at least PG13. Will there be another book? I hope so.

Young Adult Fiction by Bryan Bliss: We’ll Fly Away and Dispatches from Parts Unknown. Bryan and I attended Vanderbilt Divinity School together, and both landed in the Twin Cities. The first is about two high school boys with difficult home lives. The second is about grief. Both have wrestling as a theme, literally and figuratively. His latest book, which is on my to read shelf, is a collaboration for youth with Marian Edgar Budde, We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments. They did a joint interview on Minnesota Public Radio. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde serves as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She became famous in January when she preached at Washington Cathedral during the current President’s interfaith prayer service.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. I’ve read all her books, and this one did not disappoint. Peacock has made a TV series of it, but I have not watched it yet.

Nonfiction

All the Honey by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, a book of poetry. I borrowed this from the library, but I will be purchasing my own copy. The poetry is beautiful, as she explores grief and joy. She is my current favorite poet, and at her site you can subscribe to a poem a day.

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Dr. Lisa Damour. I highly recommend following her on IG and also listening to her podcast. My church did a book study for the parents of youth, and I am happy to share the worksheets I made if you would like to lead a study.

Audio Books

Fiction

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. The audio book is read by Meryl Streep. Patchett is a great author, but since the book is about actors in a play, Streep brought it to life.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. I will be reading or listening to the sequel.

Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry. It is a young adult book that takes place in a Catholic school.

Nonfiction

This American Woman by Zarna Garg. Instagram introduced me to comedian Zarna Garg, and I recommend following her if you are on IG. Her life story is sad, inspiring, and funny. She has a special on Disney+ that I have yet to watch. I love listening to memoirs in the author’s own voice, and this one was great.

Others

I’m continuing to make my way through all the Agatha Christie books. She is such a great writer, but I have not included any of her works on my list. How coud I pick one?

After going to see David Sedaris with a friend in 2024, I have read or listened to several of his books. I prefer listening to them.

I read a lot of nonfiction, especially of the self-help variety. However, I did not include any of those on this list. Goodreads has my 2025 reading list. For 2026, I am switching to Storygraph. Let me know if you use it.

I hope to read another book in my stack this week. Happy reading to you!

Christmas

The Journey of Advent ends with Christmas. We have sought hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent, and now we celebrate the birth of Jesus. So long ago Joseph and Mary traveled to the city of Bethlehem, to be registered as was required by the Emperor’s decree. Luke 2 tells us that while they were there, “she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place” for them (Luke 2:7).

Knowing that Jesus is God’s Son, it is hard to imagine that the world wasn’t ready for Jesus. It is incredible to think he was born in such a humble way. In many ways, our world mirrors the ancient world. Many are not paying attention to the ways in which Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us.” Jesus is always with us and for us. Indeed, he tells us in John 3:17, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” This is the Good News: Jesus came, continues to come, into our hearts, to be with us through all of life’s joys and pains.

This Advent, we have been focusing on light. Love’s Pure Light is here! May the light of life burn brightly in our hearts. Like the shepherds and angels, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Prayer: Thank you Jesus, for coming to us. Thank you for walking this earth and knowing what it is like to be human. Help us to always feel your presence with us. Amen.

Activity: Celebrate!

Attend a worship service. https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church to look for a United Methodist Church near you. There are also so many wonderful options online that you can watch today, or even tomorrow!
Sing with the angels! Sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” or another favorite Christmas hymn.
Read Luke 2:1-7.

Christmas Eve/Day: Christ candle, Liturgy for Advent Wreath

Read: Luke 2:8-20 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest of heaven, and on earth peace among those who he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Light the white/center candle, to represent Christ’s light coming into the world.

Pray: Gracious God, thank you for giving us the best gift of all, which is Jesus. Thank you for the Christmas story that reminds us once again that you are with us. Thank you for loving us so much, and giving us this day to celebrate. May we be filled with your Spirit so we may share our hope, love, joy, and peace with the hurting world. O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Amen.

Advent 4: Love

The magi, or wise men, observed a star in the East (Matthew 2:1-12). They interpreted it as a fulfilling of prophecy that the King of the Jews had been born. Unfortunately, they went to King Herod, who became frightened by their belief. Yet, Herod encouraged them to follow the star, so that he might learn of his future rival. “When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy” (Matthew 9-10). The star of Bethlehem stopped over the birthplace of Jesus.

The magi followed the light, and found Jesus. We, too, are called to not only follow the light, but shine the light of Christ in the world.

In the northern hemisphere, Advent coincides with shorter days and longer nights. The darkness of the longest night mirrors much of the heaviness we carry. We ask for healing for ourselves, but also for all those who are hurting in our broken world. Because God’s love for us is unconditional, we do not have to earn it. We open our hearts to divine grace and mercy as we pray Psalm 80:7: “Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”

God is faithful. God’s steadfast love endures forever. We may not believe in looking for a new star, or watching the sky for signs as the Magi did. However, we can be inspired by the stars who continue to shine every night through the darkness.

Prayer: O God Who Is Love, thank you for your unconditional love. We want to be as generous with our love to others. May your Love shine brightly through us. Amen.

Activity: Make or give a star. Give your star to someone who may need some encouragement this season. Maybe a busy worker at a store, someone dealing with a health issue, or a person who is grieving could use some cheer. Share that Jesus is the light of the world. May your star be a light of love.

Give out a gold star sticker, with a note or verbally share why you think the person deserves a gold star. This is especially great for those you encounter being extra kind or helpful this holiday season.
Yarn and cardboard.

Cardboard Star

Find a piece of cardboard, and cut out a star.

Choose yarn. Tape a piece to the back of the star.

Begin wrapping the yarn in whatever direction you wish. Cover it completely, or leave some of the cardboard showing.

Cut a hole to hang the star, or place it in a place where you will see it.

Advent Wreath Liturgy

Read: John 1:1-9 –In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

⁶There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Light the fourth candle, the candle of Love.

Reflect: Emmanuel means “God with us.” What a gift of love: Jesus is God with us! Jesus has experienced the aches and pains of being in a human body. Jesus witnessed the desperation and deprivation of humans. He still chose to see the belovedness in each one he met, and he treated them with love and compassion.

For those of us who are Jesus followers, we work at living like Jesus. We can choose to see the belovedness in each person, and choose to act with love and compassion toward every person. Choosing to love may not always be easy, but it is always right.

Pray: O God who is Love, help us to be loving and kind this holiday season. Give us hearts full of patience and generosity. Give us eyes to see those who are hurting around us, and the courage to respond to them. Fill us with your unconditional love, so that we cannot help but share it. In the name of Emmanuel we pray, Amen.

Advent 3: JOY

In the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we read the story of Jesus’ mother, Mary (1:26-56). Mary’s faithfulness and joy is a powerful witness. Yet, the angel’s message must have been frightening. What would it have been like to have to tell Joseph or her parents? I often wonder if she went to Elizabeth as an escape, to “hide” her pregnancy so as not to bring shame to her parents. Whatever fear she may have felt Mary answered the angel, “here am I, the servant of the Lord” (1:38). She submits to God’s will for her to be the chosen mother of God. Her song, called the Magnificat, begins with “my soul magnifies the Lord” (1:46-55). It is a song of joy at being chosen and could be the very first Christmas song. Many Christmas carols bring joy. When things look bleak, or we encounter hard times, can we also sing a hymn of joy? Joy isn’t happiness, and some people may be having a hard time finding Christmas spirit, while others are full of joy already.

The prophet Isaiah foretells a time when “the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).

Many stores are playing Christmas music, we sing at church, and maybe even listen to Christmas music at home or in the car. Listen for the joy in the music.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the joy of the holiday season. We know why we celebrate, and want to keep the focus on you. Fill our hearts with Joy so that we cannot help but share our joy with others. Amen.

Activity: Give/make an angel. In the Christmas story, the angels sing when they learn about Jesus’ birth. The angel you make, buy, or unpack is to remind you of the joy of Christmas!

Buy an angel, or set out an angel you already have, and set it in a place you’ll see it each day.
Make an angel with using a paper plate with handprints as wings.

Hand Print Angel

Materials:

Paper plate

Paper

Scissors

Glue

Markers or crayons

Color paper plate. This is the angel’s body.
Fold down right and left sides of plate. This will be the angel’s gown.
Cut out a circle of paper for the head, and draw a face and hair. (Bonus idea: use a picture and cut out the face to make yourself the angel head!) Glue to the top of the plate.
Trace hands on paper and cut them out. Glue the handprints to the back of the plate for the wings.

Advent Wreath Liturgy for Home

Week 3: JOY

Read: Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificat – Mary’s Song of Praise – And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed: for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His Mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Light the third candle, the candle of Joy. (This candle is often Pink, but may be the same as the others.)

Reflect: Mary has traveled to be with her aunt, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Even though Mary has been told by the angel Gabriel that she will be the mother of the Son of the Most High, I can only imagine that she is scared. What does being the mother of the “Son of the Most High” even mean? Will Joseph believe her? What do her parents and other family and friends think? Despite all those questions she may have had, Mary sings a song of praise to God.

Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is a result of a situation, or a mood, but being joyful is deeper than that. Joy is not just about present circumstances, but it is a state of being or relating to the world. Despite any of the fears Mary may have had, she chooses joy. She sings praise to God.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is evidence of living out our faith. Joy is a movement of the heart, easy and playful, full of love and delight. Choosing joy is a spiritual practice.

Pray: Joyful God, we thank you for the gift of joy. So much about this time of year fills our hearts with joy. Help us to keep that feeling all year long. We pray for all those who are feeling less than joyful. May they be touched by your joy today. Amen.

Advent Week 2: PEACE

“Comfort, o comfort my people, says your God.” The Prophet Isaiah (40:1) reminds us that when we are not at peace, God provides comfort. God is always there, ready and willing, for us to turn over all our problems. However, sometimes our lack of peace stems from our hearts breaking for the many around us who are hurting, and the injustices of our world.

The prophet continues: A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain. (Isaiah 40:3-4)

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we are called to prepare the way of the Lord. We need to prepare our hearts. Often Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. We need the peace that only God can give to us in our world that is full of hurting people. Sometimes we cannot see people’s pain. They may smile, even when they feel like crying. Other times we read about or watch people’s pains on the news. We may intimately know the pain of a loved one, and certainly our own troubles.

We are called to prepare the way by responding to the many hurts around us. Shine the light of peace so that the places that may feel like the wilderness will instead feel like even, level ground for all. We can visit the lonely, take a meal to the sick, volunteer with an organization who is serving a group or cause that makes our heart break. One way to define peace for ourselves is knowing that we are doing what God has called us to do. Other definitions are security, freedom, harmony, and tranquility.

Prayer: Prince of Peace, we anticipate you coming to us as an infant in a world that was in distress. We long for the peace that you offer, and we want to be a part of sharing that peace with others. Send us your peace, and stir our hearts to be peacemakers. Amen.

Activity: Make and/or give an Ornament. Think of someone special as you are making your ornament, and/or give the ornament to someone who may be feeling a little sad this season.

Make an ornament in the kitchen. (3 recipe options)
Buy an ornament, or give one of yours as a gift.

Make an Ornament in the Kitchen

Below are three recipes for making an ornament. You could choose a salt dough, cornstarch, or cinnamon. You can use string, ribbon, yarn, twine, etc. to hang the ornaments.

Salt Dough Ornament:

You will need: 2 cups of flour

1 cup of salt

1 cup of water

Cookie cutter

Drinking straw or pencil

Mix, roll out, and use a cookie cutter for the shape you want. Use a pencil eraser or drinking straw to cut a hole in top for string.

Bake at 175 degrees for 3 hours. Decorate if you wish!

Cornstarch Recipe:

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cups baking soda

3/4 cup water

Cookie cutter

Drinking straw or pencil

Combine baking soda and cornstarch in a medium pot. Add water and mix well.
Place the pot over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. When it reaches a “mashed potatoes consistency,” remove from heat.
Form the dough into a ball and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it cool for 15 minutes.
Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Use a drinking straw or pencil to poke a hole in the ornament for your string.
Let ornaments dry for 24 hours, flipping them once.
Can paint or leave matte white.

Cinnamon Dough:

2 cups flour

½ cup cinnamon

Salt

Water

Cookie Cutter

Mix together dry ingredients until no clumps remain. Pour in warm water, and mix until well combined and a dough forms.
Form dough into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface.
Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Use a pencil eraser or drinking straw to cut a hole in top for string.
Air dry or bake.
Air dry by placing on wax paper on a drying rack. It could take a couple of days for it to be completely hardened through.
Bake: Place ornaments are parchment -lined baking sheet. Bake at 200 degrees F for 2 ½ hours.
Decorate if you wish! Or leave them as is.

Advent Wreath Liturgy

Read: Matthew 1:18-25- Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²²All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” ²⁴When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife ²⁵but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Light the second candle, the candle of Peace.

Reflect: There are many names for Jesus, including Prince of Peace. Peace can mean many things: quiet, harmony, security, calm, serenity. The peace Jesus offers encompasses all those meanings. Jesus, by offering us the light of life, offers us a peace that cannot be put into words. Some call it the peace that passes understanding. It is a feeling of inner calm and security despite what is going on around us. Our faith keeps us strong and resolute. “Peace on earth, good will to all” is a common refrain in Christmas songs, to remind us that peace is gift. May you accept the peace that only God can give.

Pray: O Holy God, we pray for peace. Peace within ourselves, peace in our relationships, peace in our community, and peace around the world. Give us courage to be peacemakers, and help us choose compassion over fear. Amen.

Advent Week 1: HOPE

Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” meaning coming. During the season of Advent, we prepare and wait with hope to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas. Advent can be a season where we open our hearts to the presence of God.

As we sing in “Silent Night,” Jesus is “Son of God, Love’s pure light.” We are people of the light, who are called to share the light of Christ out into the world. Through our small acts of service, love, and care, we bring the light of Christ to give hope to the hopeless.

The prophet Isaiah writes:

Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
⁶I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
    I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
    a light to the nations,
⁷    to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:5-7).

In many churches, lighting a candle on an Advent wreath is an important part of Advent services. The wreath is a circle, because God’s love for us is forever. The greenery symbolizes life. Each week we light a candle to remind us of the hope, peace, joy, and love that God gifts us.

Prayer: God of Hope, fill me with your hope, that I may share your light of hope this Advent season. Give me the courage to respond to your call, and open my eyes and hearts to the people you place in my path. Amen.

Activity: Create an Advent Wreath. As you create it and use it this season, know that you are one of God’s beloved children.

Make with materials you already have:

5 Vases and colored ornaments – 3 purple (or blue), one pink, one white

Candles -3 purple (or blue), one pink, one white

Use an Advent wreath you already have

Cardboard Tube Advent Wreath

Cardboard Tube Advent Wreath

Materials:

1 paper plate

1 sheet of green construction paper, 1 1/4 sheet of white and pink, 1 sheet of blue or purple

3 empty paper towel tubes cut in half OR 5 empty toilet paper tubes.

5 strips of yellow tissue paper

Scissors

Glue

Cut out the center of the paper plate to make a ring/wreath.
Use the green construction paper to cover the wreath. (Extra: trace handprint and glue hands on paper plate.)
Cover three tubes with blue or purple paper.
Cover one tube with pink paper.
Cover one tube with white paper.
Place the 3 purple and 1 pink tube on the wreath. Place the white tube in the center.
Each week use a strip of tissue paper to “light” your candle. Week 3 is the pink, and the white is lit on Christmas Eve or Day.

Advent Candle Lighting at Home Liturgy

Read: Jeremiah 33:14-16 – The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Light the first candle, the candle of hope.

Reflect: Having hope is not being overly positive that everything will turn out all right. Nor is it just a wish list of what we want to receive this Christmas. Hope comes from our trust in God. Whenever I am overwhelmed with all the problems around the world, I remind myself that God is near. I look for the ways I see God at work in, around, and through others. I see the way people bring those who cannot drive to church. I feel the compassion from a friend when I am having a tough day. I listen for stories of human goodness, both locally and globally. All that gives me hope. Christmas comes during the darker times, shorter days, in the Northern hemisphere. Amid all the darkness, both literally and figuratively, we prepare to celebrate that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Pray: God of hope, you are steadfast and remain with us. Help us to turn to you in our moments of sadness. Fill us with your spirit so that we are not only hopeful, but ready and willing to do the work to make our hopes a reality. Prepare our hearts this Advent to receive the gift of Jesus. Fill us with your light of hope. Amen.

Advent Devotions

Advent runs November 30-December 24 in 2025. It is the season of preparing our hearts to once again receive the baby Jesus on Christmas.

United Methodist Communications is sharing my weekly Advent devotions again this year. Included is an idea for an activity/craft each week. The first week is making an Advent wreath for the home, and then you can use my Home Advent wreath liturgy to light a candle each week.

I was inspired this Advent by the third verse of “Silent Night,” which says “Son of God, love’s pure light.” Jesus is Love’s Pure Light. As followers of Jesus, I believe we are called to share light with the world.

If you are a pastor, and would like me to send this in a different format, please contact me.

Generosity

My latest devotion is available from United Methodist Communications. You can read “Respond to God’s Grace with Generosity” here.

Generosity is about so much more than just money. I want to be more generous with finances, but also in my relationships. Every day is so full, that I get laser-focused on what has to be done, rather than opening my eyes and heart to opportunities around me. My personal goal for the month of November is to be more mindful for ways God invites me to be generous. Would you join me?

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

A teen in our community died by suicide this summer. Even more recently, a father died by suicide. I run out of fingers before I finish naming my friends who have lost someone dear to them to suicide. The world is better with you here. Suicide is never the right or only answer.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a wealth of resources. You can find both national resources, as well as those within your state. In a crisis, you can call or text 988 anytime. In Minnesota, the Department of Human Services site has many resources as well.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also has great resources to find help and support for yourself or others.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention site has stories, ways to volunteer, as well as resources.

I have put our local and county crisis lines, as well as our local police in my teens’ cell phone contacts. In addition, they have 988 and the NAMI number. I told them what they were and why they were now contacts in their phones. I encourage them to share with their friends. We do not know what is in someone else’s mind, and I never want someone to believe they are alone.

You matter.

Diversity

Diversity has become a buzz word, and lately with a negative connotation. However, in his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes about the importance of diversity within the church. You can read my latest article on umc.org here.

1 Corinthians 12 precedes the famous chapter on love that is often read at weddings. Paul segues from his discussion on the variety of gifts by saying that he will show us “an even better way.” That way is love. When we love our neighbor, we can celebrate our differences, and be grateful that we are not all carbon copies of each other.