Welcome to the Slow Season: A Call to Gather

The summer harvest from the garden has all been brought in. A few fall plants remain in the cold ground, covered with a thick blanket of straw. The animals, too, have extra bedding in their outdoor houses to provide additional warmth as the weather takes its yearly dive.

We have drastically slowed down on the farm. Most outdoor chores have come to a seasonal pause. And, naturally, we must pause as well. A dependable, annual break in the rush and chaos of life.

In mid-November, we end homeschool for the year. We celebrate the next year of a child’s life. We gather for a massive feast of thanks. We take several days to redecorate the house with the massive box of treasures that makes a yearly journey from the attic to the living room.

Each strand of lights is thoughtfully placed. Every ornament handled with care as we tell the story of how it came to be in our possession. A tremendous amount of candles are set about to create the perfect atmosphere on a chilly morning or evening.

We are now entering in the slow season, an intentional time of changing the usual to the magical.

Over the next few days, I will share with you how we set aside all of the normal things of daily life for cherishing the entire holiday season. Of course, it takes a lot of preparation and planning, and some things are prepared weeks or months in advance. Like that table project I had begun way back in the warm, busy days of October.

The beautiful anchor piece of our living room and kitchen has transformed the feel of the space, calling us to gather. So much of our next few weeks will be centered around this space, and I am inviting you to join us at the table.

We gather to be together as a family and also to connect as spiritual beings and followers of Christ.

Sally Clarkson, The Lifegiving Table