And, a prayer to close her December 15 reflection on the hymn Joy to the World:

“Blessed are we whose hearts feel crowded and tired,
who hear an old song and dare to hum along.
Blessed are we who make a little room anyway—
in sinkful kitchens, in traffic, in grief—
and find that Joy has already arrived,
ringing the doorbell with both hands.” (Kate Bowler)