Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Denise Bossert

Home
Catholic
Leaving Bethlehem

Leaving Bethlehem

Last updated on: January 10, 2014 at 4:19 pm by Denise Bossert

Leaving Bethlehem 2014-01-10T16:19:05-05:00 Denise Bossert

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m not ready.

I’d rather stay here, in this house.

The company left yesterday. It’s time to begin taking down Christmas and getting on with Ordinary Time. But I am dragging my feet. I enjoyed it, and now I’m clinging to it. I’d like to keep it a few more days – maybe forever. Not the flu I caught over Christmas despite the flu shot in October. But the rest.

The baking, the hostessing, the linen changing for guests, the grandchildren — yes, those little faces!

I enjoyed my daughter’s break from school – and those four extra snow days which kept her home until today.

But the season is ending. And there are things I have abandoned. Things I’m avoiding.

I’d like to stay inside. To keep the resting & lounging going. Hide here a bit longer, like the agorophobe I could so easily become. The reclusive writer – without the dedicated writing routine.

I want to freelance life. Keep what’s easy.

Even grocery runs seem too much. And dog grooming. And that dental appointment I should schedule.

Lord, help me to leave the comfort of this house, to travel to Egypt with the Holy Family – though I’d like to stay in Bethlehem & wait to see who else might drop in.

Let the world come to me.

But that isn’t how it works.

Ordinary days are going out days. Routines that fill up. Errands to be run. More people. More places. More work.

So give me that dreamy mandate to go, like you once did to St. Joseph.

Because what seems safe – it’s not good for me. Egypt awaits.

Bethlehem on another day.

Uncategorized

agorophobia

dream to leave Bethlehem

Previous Post

January 10, 2014

Playing Church

Next Post

January 12, 2014 Epiphany of an Unfaithful Heart

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Diocesan Column Holy Land Travel Writing Let's Go On A Pilgrimage Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does 1 John say the world and its desires are doing?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Coming to an end Growing darker Passing away Being judged