Monthly Archives: November 2025

Exploring Boston: Anticipation and Miracles on the Road

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Greetings from Boston Massachusetts! The youngest son and I are on a spur- of- the- moment trip. Why Boston? Simply because it was a place on the map we could drive to in a day. So, here we are. It’s the most I have ever driven by myself. And getting here was a challenge. We decided to take a route through Vermont. Which was fine, except it was a very straight run through simple trees and the end of our trip was dark — therefore a long, boring, drive. No gas stations, no street lights, no tourist spots along the way… simply dark figures of trees and the road ahead. Barely even another car, because who decides to go through Vermont enroute to Boston in the middle of late fall ? Us crazy Canadians, I guess.

Needless to say, we drove the last few hours straight with a vengeance. We were on a mission to get there. To make matters worse, my phone battery was dangerously low and for fear of our GPS (and only navigation) source dying, the kid was taking screen shots of directions to get us there. Finally, our hotel was in sight… we were safe and had arrived! Then, we were starving and needed to find food (but that’s a different story).

One of the biggest lessons we can draw from our road trip thus far, has been the anticipation. As I said, we planned this little getaway with no real agenda other than the trip itself. Let’s just go! It’ll be fun! How does that thought link to our third lesson of this little advent study we’re in the middle of? Well, we are focusing on Mary and the miracle of her virgin birth and all that surrounds that subject. Obviously, from ancient texts, we can see that the world has been waiting… anticipating… for the final arrival of the Messiah, One who would save the world. We were on a mission to get to the end … and the world was waiting too!

Now, let’s talk about all that surrounded Mary’s story. A virgin birth. A visit from an angel. Lots of out of the ordinary stuff happening to poor Mary… exciting but crazy things! Our lesson points out some interesting facts about Luke’s account of the baby Jesus’ birth as recorded in the Bible:

  • Luke was an expert historian; he would have secured his sources and fact checked; this means he would not likely “make up” points just to be sensational in his writing; Mary’s virginity would be fact
  • Mary’s story also checks out with earlier accounts from prophets like Isaiah; the Bible is consistent
  • Many Greco-Roman legends of the time paint different pictures of their “immortal god births”, often citing gods having relations with mortals resulting in miraculous births… Luke’s account isn’t anything like this, and sticks to the facts
  • speaking of facts… most readers would ummm, understand the “facts” and not play stupid; in other words, because Mary was a virgin, Jesus’ birth is all that more miraculous. If she wasn’t, we could explain it away; We can also say that the ancient people of the time understood where babies came from… so His miraculous birth was just that: supernatural and special

Furthermore, I’m humbled to know that the mighty messengers who came to visit Mary way back then, were looking out for us on our journey as well. I am sure that angels were on the roads protecting us from snow and sleet and my lack of navigational skills. My phone wasn’t miraculously charged, but I have no doubt that God kept us safe on the roads, because lemme tell ya, traffic in Boston is awful! Narrow roads and one way streets with bridges and interstates with crazy on and off ramps. God led Mary and Joseph through miraculous parenthood adventures, and he led the kid and I on some crazy escapades as well!

Just think about all of Mary’s crazy adventures! Image from The Nativity Story

Perhaps I am drawing too much of a comparison between our road trip and Mary’s miracle. Still, it is valid to muse about the well familiar virgin birth story and all the anticipation of Christmas. Perhaps, should you travel this holiday, you’ll think of us and our long road through Vermont and be reminded that the same God who was with Mary, is with you, too, as He was with us on the roads in Boston. He still cares. He is still protecting us. He still has a plan for us. I hope this little post has brought you a little closer to knowing Him this season, and recognizing His presence, even on the dark roads of Vermont !

Spiritual Preparedness: The Role of John the Baptist

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Welcome back, beloveds, to our second week of this Advent study we’re doing this year! We’re going to look at “preparedness” this week… I suppose an Advent study is entirely about preparing, but this week is specifically about John the Baptist and his role in Jesus’ birth.

We’ve chatted about preparing numerous times here at mittonmusings.com, and I’m not ashamed to say it popped up again this week. We’ve had our first dumping of snow… and I am unprepared. School buses were cancelled again, and the pallets are still sitting on the driveway. I knew winter was coming, but somehow I was stuck in falling leaves and an extended fall season. I’m sure it is too early for a full few weeks of snow, so I am trying to ignore it. Nonetheless, I headed off to do morning chores including the dumping of ice and refreshing water with my trusty butter knife to hack away at the ice… but in Crocs and a sweater because I have no idea where my winter coat is.

We’ve had to go searching for shovels in the barn and the fretting for my bunnies has begun. It was literally only -4 degrees Celsius, but I worry they get cold. My new chick birds are unprepared for all this white stuff… and I am not sure they know they can go back in to the coop. So far, they seem all huddled in the corner (outside). I must show them the way — again!

My “bunny basket” now includes an “ice hacker” knife…

In addition to being physically prepared for things, I like to be prepared in other ways. The hubby and I were having a financial discussion the other day (as one does in marriage) and he asked me what I’d like to do with a little surplus cash flow we had. He did not like my answer. If (and when) we get goats in the spring, we need a new fence and a little shelter for them (so I don’t worry about them in the winter…) and so I need to save up for said fence. I’m also reading and talking to people who have goats… which all say they are fun — but escape… hence fence discussions. My mother thinks I’m crazy. The hubby thinks, well, never mind what he thinks. I’m mentally preparing for goats.

Preparation. It’s important. My winter tires were on early this year… which allowed me to get groceries in the middle of our first snow. We’re gonna need a fence for escape artist goats. Fresh water is important. Luke 1 gives us the preparation story of John the Baptist’s birth announcement. It outlines the other special delivery sent to Elizabeth and Zachariah. And although they were righteous and believers… real life had them doubting. Can you imagine meeting an angel from Heaven who tells you you’re gonna have a baby in the middle of the most important day of your career as priest in the temple? Poor Zachariah was already under pressure… no wonder he was dumbstruck. A little un-prepared, I’d say, for such an encounter.

Yet, this was a significant birth announcement. John had a very important role to play. He was set apart for special service from the very beginning. He was the forerunner to prepare for the coming Christ. He served a very unique role with major distinctions that set him apart. Like us, we should stand out as ones who are “pointers” to the second coming. Ones who prepare the way. Part of that, for me, is this little blog I do each week. It’s my way of highlighting my spiritual journey to (hopefully) walk along side of ya’ll in yours!

Photo by Vladimir Srajber on Pexels.com

And I don’t know if this “lesson” has had any coherent points. I’m feeling like it’s a little all over the place. So, let’s draw some conclusions. Advent reminds us to look forward, not only to Christmas time, but to the second coming of Christ, by looking backward to the Birth of Jesus. We have done that this week by looking at John the Baptist, his special birth announcement, and his role in “pointing the way” for Jesus and His ministry. We are instructed to do the same. Like getting new pets in spring, or winter’s arrival, we all must be prepared for what is to come. And that means, studying and sharing with others. That studying may mean sacrifice, repenting, preparation or a host of other things as we fulfill our role in God’s plan for us. Are you prepared? Are you preparing? Hopefully, this little advent focus has reminded you to get on that track once again. Me? I’m off to hack at some ice. Blessings!

A 6 Week Look at Advent: FREE!

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Greetings! Welcome back! Well… I hinted at it on my socials, but likely didn’t promote it as well as I should… but we have an exciting few weeks coming! It’s time for another collection of blogs centered around a single topic!! Yes, we are going to spend the next few weeks with a “theme”. We’re going to dive in together to another Advent Season with a slightly angled series of posts. Honestly, a purely selfish move on my part: one because I’m finding posts hard these days and need direction, and two, because we’re going to run the series in our small group and thought, “Hey, I’m doing the prep work anyway, why not follow the theme?”

So here we go! Now, you will know that mittonmusings.com has done several Advent posts in the past (go ahead, search ’em up if you wish!) and I promise not to deviate from the style you know and love from me, but hold on to your hats as we dive in to a little study together. As I said, I take no credit. Since you know I am {ahem} frugal, I needed to find the cheapest study to plan from. And free is the cheapest, so it’s the one I searched for and found. However, I don’t want to be accused of not giving credit, so I’m going to link the full online book HERE so that I can give the credit where credit is do. Of course, it will be my own musings about what I learn, so take what you will from it all! Happy studying!

Now. Normally, I would not be thinking about Christmas yet. Good grief, we’ve just had a time change, leaves are still on the ground, and we’ve barely hit November… but I’m taking the bull by the horns and jumping in early. So, let’s prepare for the Christmas season together, shall we?!

As many of you know, creatures are my thing. They have been for years and years. I am sure my mother went out of her mind every time I brought home another “pet”. The newly hatched ducklings I brought home from school for the weekend (without her permission), the injured birds and frog collections every summer. The caterpillars I tried to raise into moths. The ant farm in my top dresser drawer (which was just a pickle jar where I threw random ants in in hopes they would survive). Then came the various aquariums. Cats were also on the list. Then as my own family grew, we started with the attempts at breeding show cats (it didn’t work). Then the youngest became quite successful at her side hustle breeding domestic rats. (Yes, they are a thing, yes people keep rats as pets, yes, we did well at it). And now, here we are at Itsnottafarm with a flock of chickens and the hopes of pet goats.

Along the way, I’ve learned a little about genetics. Genealogies are important when you are breeding livestock… or show quality pets. Colour links, pedigrees, family trees, behaviour, “stock”. Now that we’re out here among the farmers, I see auctions and cow shows and goat shows and qualities of eggs and meat and all that agricultural stuff. Believe me, it’s a whole other world with its own learning curve!

This little guy looks just like his dad!

And then, of course, I am at the age where my own brood is growing. Our grand baby is going to be one year old soon! Time flies! That, too, is a whole other world — when your kids have kids. Or start talking at you late at night about their worlds. About real world issues and family dynamics and friends and parties and “adulting”. In some sense, I’m not ready for it. Yet, time has a way of thrusting such things upon you, and you get pushed into it ready or not.

So. What on earth did that little rant have to do with our Advent Study? Well. Lesson one begins with the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1. A long list of names showing baby Jesus’ “pedigree” if you will. His earthly genetic make up. Proof of His existence. Our first lesson draws us to look to the past before we can look at the future. Like a good working border collie, a puppy’s history will give us a glimpse into what his future will look like. A fast runner? A smart, obedient dog from good bloodlines? A fancy rat with black eyes and a curly coat? Those genetics are the ones you want to carry on.

But here’s the kicker. Matthew includes some interesting details in baby Jesus’ genetic analysis. Our book breaks it up into: Title, descendants and structure. For time sake, we’ll simply make a few conclusions. The title of Jesus’ name, His claim as Messiah, the Chosen one, indicates that He has fulfilled the Promise of the ancient covenants. He was not just a lowly baby: He was the promised King. Then, unlike our prized pedigrees in agriculture, Jesus’ line of descendants includes a mixed bag of people. Some “black sheep”, shall we say? Respected Jewish prophets, yes, but shady characters, Gentiles and Heaven forbid, women! And what does that show us? He came at Christmas for all of us! Even if you think you don’t make the cut… you are worthy!! And His family tree is evidence of that. Finally, the structure adds an interesting twist. Did you notice it was split into 14, 14, 14 generations? No, me neither. Thanks to studying, this unique inclusion of certain name drops, helps us see how Jesus came for a purpose, and what His work was here on earth. He came to save us. The ultimate task.

So there you have it. I know we only scratched the surface, but perhaps it will spark you to further study, or simply a “muse” for the week. A glimpse into the future by looking a little bit at the past. Start that conversation about it with someone. Is it too early to talk about Christmas? The big box stores don’t think so, so why should we? Check back in with us here again, my friend (or sign up and get it in your inbox!) for next week’s look at Advent – with a twist! 🙂