In Nashville, as in many other cities, you can learn a lot by following a painted line on the sidewalk. This blue line takes visitors throughout the city to learn about 200 years of history of Music City. I recall following a line in Boston as we learned about events of the Revolutionary War. So, keep your eyes and ears open, you might wind up in a different spot by following the line.

Today's photo is from downtown Nashville.

I'd rather live in light, than among shadows. Photographically speaking, shadows add depth and texture, and mystery. Some of our personal history, beyond photography, is in the shadows. And those events have added depth and mystery to our stories. I suspect that there is not one journey without shadows, and without which, we would not yearn for the light. Today's gospel lesson, Luke 2:22-40, tells of an event of longing and fulfillment. May we all have moments where light is victorious over the shadows.

This 500 piece puzzle is still missing about 50 more until it's complete. I've given up. From here on, all of the pieces look the same and don't have the clues of different colors and shapes. I did nearly all of this. But I'm done. Judy thinks we ought to finish it. Nah, I'm done.

Nashville has (at least) two wonderful print shops. This poster/puzzle is from the Anderson Design Group. Of course the other historic print shop is the Hatch Show Print, now located at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. Delight to the eyes!

Our granddaughter is concerned that we may not get to see snow in Tennessee. So she hopes each winter that there will be sufficient snow in Nashville to impress her grandparents. We tell her that we are well aware of snow. In fact, we have shoveled it many times, like this one in Springfield, Illinois. That was enough snow to last us several winters. And I know for certain that Maddy's grandmother does not miss snow!

Merry Christmas to you all. This manger scene belongs to Dr. Keith Zimmerman, and wonderfully made by his father.

Advent is complete, will be at sunset this day. And I have tons of memories at numerous candlelight services in the churches that I served. Walking in the snow and caroling, even at the tavern in Matheson, Colorado. Sharing communion with families, kneeling in the darkened sanctuary, and praying for them. Singing "Silent Night" by candlelight. Being with my family. I am blessed.

This photo was taken in the lodge at Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois.

Presents under the tree equals temptation. Does that one have my name on it? How heavy is it? Does it make a sound when it is shaken? Can I see through the paper is I press it hard enough? I even know of someone who unwrapped her presents to find out what they were and then carefully re-wrapped them so that no one would know that she knew! No, it wasn't someone in our family but a friend will recognize that story! And I admit that I was ready to have presents opened when I had finished shopping. It was so difficult to keep a secret. Let's just unwrap them now!

Crescent City, California. Strong wind and surf. Crashing waves. Fog. Boulders littering the shore. The seals love it; they are just beyond the lighthouse, huddled together on the flat, wide rock. I could not help but notice that the western coast is so different from the eastern coast and the gulf coast. Giant surf with monster rocks.

Funny how a bad day for boats is great for photos.