Christmas in New York City Image Credit: Central Park For a moment, allow me to remind everyone that I grew up in the Cotton Patch Country of Southeast Missouri. Although I profess to be a writer now, I grew up with a tiny library and few reading opportunities, and although I profess to be a…
Category: #Advent
Thoughts on New Year’s Eve: To God Be the Glory. His Work Is Not Done
Three years ago, Doubleday for Young Reader [a division of Penguin Random House] published my picture book The Donkey’s Song. Since the day that my editor acquired my book [about 5 years ago], I have repeatedly told everyone who would listen that everything about my picture book and its publication is miraculous. In fact, every…
How to Make A Wreath from Things around Your House and Evergreens from Your Yard
I have just celebrated the first-ever Christmas and/or Advent wreath-making workshop FREE at Jacki Kellum Studios in Water Valley Mississippi. First Step for Wreath-Making: Find Something Round – Be Creative Second Step for Wreath-Making is: Wire Evergreens to Your Form Third Step for Wreath-Making: Believe that Everyone Can Make Art — Even You! When I…
Advent: A Quick History & Overview – Just Some Quick Facts
Image Credit: 2026 Year of Grace Liturgical Calendar The First Sunday of Advent is the Beginning of the Church Year. Image Credit: Sarah Russell Design – Etsy Advent’s roots are entertwined with the history of the Catholic–and later, the Anglican and/or Episcopalian churches – and the Church Calendar. Early Christians began celebrating Advent during the…
The Episcopal Calendar – The Feast Days & Seasons of the Episcopal Year
AdventThe Episcopal Church Calendar Begins with Advent. “The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for ‘coming.’The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and…
My Joy Garden – How to Create a Children’s Sunflower Garden Step by Step – Twelve Days of Christmas Day 9
Several times I have said that I am creating a Joy Garden as my tribute to the Joy Candle that I light on the Second Sunday of Advent. I am also creating a Hope Garden as my tribute to the Hope Candle that I might on the First Sunday of Advent. I grow perennials and…
Why the Angel’s Candle During Advent? – The Twelve Days of Christmas Day 3
Chronologically speaking, many Biblical years and stories stand between the Creation of the Garden of Eden and the Birth of Jesus. But within a few words, after Jesus was born, several things happened that deserve special mentioning. That is one good thing about celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas. The First Day of Christmas is…
Why the Shepherd’s Candle during #Advent – The Twelve Days of Christmas
Chronologically speaking, many Biblical years and stories stand between the Creation of the Garden of Eden and the Birth of Jesus. But within a few words, after Jesus was born, several things happened that deserve special mentioning. That is one good thing about celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas: Let’s look at the stories as…
Morning Has Broken – Celebrating the Light – Christmas in My Garden
Morning Has Broken – Jacki Kellum Acrylic Painting Study This piece says very much about me. I am always struggling to evoke the light. Morning breaks again and again. Regardless of the darkness in between, “Joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 It’s Christmas Morning, and when I awoke this morning, it was still dark…