Since living in Seattle for 35 years, thoughts of the Advent Season bring memories of cold, dark, rainy and cloudy days.  It just doesn’t feel like Advent if it’s not raining and cold.  So, with bright sunshine and cool temperatures in this part of the country, we made an Advent pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The National Shrine is an extraordinary edifice which houses numerous small altars depicting religious art from all the cultures that make up our country.  If you ever come to DC it is a “must see.”  Our pilgrimage took several hours and left us consumed with emotion.

This is where a picture speaks a thousand words:

Beauty is grace!

Prepare this Advent season to embrace the beauty in your life.