Category Archives: Advent

Encountering God in Our Emotions

The Christmas season tends to evoke a range of emotions in us. While we express tidings of comfort and joy, we may feel anything but comforted or joyful. It’s good to pay attention to those unsettling feelings and listen to … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Popular Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ In Me, With Me, For Me

This Advent, God’s been inviting me to live in the reality that Christ is in me, with me, and for me. I noticed, when I undertook a task or wrote a post, that I was not alone. I felt accompanied … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Mindfulness, Mystical, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Wondrous Thought

After the angel Gabriel’s visit, Mary woke to a new reality. The pondering of her heart emerged on her lips as she washed the dishes and passed by the beggars on her way to fetch water. “My soul glorifies the … Continue reading

Posted in Advent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Waiting

What if the one you are waiting for never comes? It was only choir practice at the little United Church a mile away. My friend Edith and I were thirteen years old and proud to be the youngest members. Every … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Childhood, Christmas, compassion, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

You Belong

No one can near God unless He hasprepared a bed for you.A thousand souls hear His call every second,but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror andsays, “I am not worthy to leave this sadness.”–Teresa of Avila You … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Advent 4: The Star Appears

Blessed are you,agreeing to stand still long enoughto let your eyes adjust to the darknessuntil the starlight begins to appear,the dawning of God’s promises.–Kate Bowler, A Blessing for Open Arms Be still, my friend, and breathe with me.Let us open … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advent 3: God Incarnate

Saturday morning, I stirred the pot on the stoveand noticed the contents were too watery.I felt churning in my stomachand butterflies in my chest.Translation:If this doesn’t work outI can’t handle it. This is what puts me over the edge?Date squares … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advent 2: The Meeting Place

Blessed are you …Telling the truth about where you are…Because this is precisely the placewhere God will meet you.–Kate Bowler, A Blessing for Telling the Truth All shall be well.God is always with us.There is nothing to fear. I know … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Advent 1: Your Yes

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”–Luke 1:28 (NIV) You come to us,as you did to Maryand ask if we will bear Christ already seeded in us. Like Mary, we don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Uncontainable Love

Love cannot be contained. It comes as a fireball of gloryand, when it meets resistance,is not stoppedbut spills –yellow, orange, and purple–all over the sky, land, and sea. Christmas may not come as expected.Dare I say, it likely won’t.You may have … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Creation, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment