Today, we reflect on the surprise that Christmas Tide continues past December 25 and how forgotten traditions can restore joy. Then we make the case for smaller, warmer houses with real rooms, real hearths, and real community nearby, ending with hope for ordinary time.

• Christmas Tide begins on Christmas Day and lasts twelve days
• The liturgical year offers a humane rhythm of feast and fast
• Old houses center family life around a hearth and defined rooms
• Modern open plans often feel cold and scatter attention
• Practical ways to add warmth with thrifted, durable pieces
• Vision for small homes near walkable town centers
• Ordinary time as a season for steady building and habits
• Hopes to invite more dads to share rooted family life

Thanks for listening. We’re going to keep growing and building on these riffs. I hope to keep it up every day and put out something thoughtful, useful, meaningful. I can’t wait to have some dads on here and learn from them too.