Today concludes our Advent series “Holy Space.”

Over the last few weeks as we have vicariously traveled to The Holy Land, thanks to travel photojournalist Katie Archibald-Woodward, I hope you, too, have had a chance to reflect a bit on what holy space has looked like—and looks like now—in your own life.

What does it really mean to call a space or a moment “holy”? Does holiness sparkle in the ambiance of a sacred building…or a piece of music or a great work of art…or a feeling of connectedness…or a sense of belonging to Something or Someone bigger than yourself? Or is holiness as uncommonly simple and profound as being together in your otherness with another human being and knowing that you love one another just as you are and not as you should be? Maybe holiness resides in all of the above. I hope you won’t stop looking and longing for holy space, and when you find it, will you drop me a note? I really would love to hear from you. You can find more of my own thoughts on holy space in my book, Grace Sticks.

Here is Katie:

As Advent and this Holy Land series draw to a close and the long awaited day of celebrating the birth of a most extraordinary baby draw near, I thought it timely to share the story of my own birthday, September 16, the final week of our travels.  The realization of celebrating my birthday on this trip started off with anticipation, followed by a bit of disappointment, and then renewed anticipation, much like the mixed sentiments around Jesus’ birth…