Category Archives: Advent

Advent III: Retreat

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Three cancelled appointments and a no show at Bible study gave me the breathing room I needed. I know that was You looking after me. Sometimes You’re about as quiet as a three-year-old trying to sneak up on mommy. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent, Bark Cabin Natural Area, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, John Pavlovitz, Josh Kelahan, Low: An Honest Advent Devotional, Nicholas A Tonelli, prayer retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Advent I: Step into this Season

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Do not run or fly away in order to become free. Rather go deep into the narrow space given you. There you will find God and all things. –Gustave Thibon It’s Thursday morning, and I’m just sitting down now to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Andy Holden, Anvil Centre, Esther Hizsa, Gustave Thibon, John Pavlovitz, Laws of Motion in a Cartoon Landscape, Lisa E, Looking Back, Low: An Honest Advent Devotional, New Media Gallery, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the narrow space given you | 5 Comments

Calls to Prayer

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Notice what you notice. You’ve heard me say that countless times in my book and blog. It’s become a contemplative practice for me ever since I prayed the Ignatian Exercises in 2012-13. I notice experiences that warm my heart. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged bellw, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, Hold On, just.Luc, Mayor Hurley, Monica Brown, New Year's Resolutions, Ruth Monette, Soul of Christ, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, uroburos, warming centres, warming shelters | 3 Comments

Advent IV: Presence

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Instead of the usual Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, I have chosen different words for each week in Advent this year. I’m feeling pretty good, then suddenly I’m not. I received an email, and in it, my friend tells me … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Mystical, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged David G.Benner, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Plum leaves, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, The Nativity, Trevlig fjärde advent! | 3 Comments

Advent III: Mystery and Wonder

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Instead of the usual Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, I have chosen different words for each week in Advent this year. I spent a few hours on my last silent retreat gazing at the icon, Pantokrator: Jesus, Creator and Saviour … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent III, Ann Green, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Esther Hizsa, Luke 1:28, Pantokrator, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, Trevlig tredje advent! | 1 Comment

Advent II: Yearning

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

Instead of the usual Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, I have chosen different words for each week in Advent this year. A few weeks ago Fred and I had a Groupon for a restaurant in the Vancouver’s West End. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alfred DePew, Daniel Ladinsky, Davie Street, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Jeff Hitchcock, Odalisque, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, With that Moon Language, Yearning | 2 Comments

Advent 1: Interruption and Disappointment

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

What if we found new words for our Advent candle-lighting wreaths this year? Instead of the traditional Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, what words would you choose to mark each week in this season of waiting? Two words jump out at … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Aging, Reflections | Tagged Advent, anoldent, Esther Hizsa, First Sunday in Advent, Jan L. Richardson, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson | Leave a comment

Advent IV: Love

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Our faith tells us that the infinite love that is the architect of our hearts has made our hearts in such a way that nothing less than an infinite love will put to rest the restless longings of our hearts. –James … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Reflections | Tagged E.Allison Peers, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, George Matheson, O Love that will not let me go, Plum leaves, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, The Dark Night of the Soul, The Nativity, Trevlig fjärde advent! | 2 Comments

Advent III: Joy

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

This Advent I’ve been enjoying short films from The Work of the People that speak of this season of waiting. They invite me to be unravelled, to hold my cup of longing and not go around it, to welcome the stranger, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections | Tagged Advent III, Esther Hizsa, Hadrian's Christmas Tree, joy, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, The Work of the People, Trevlig tredje advent! | 1 Comment

Advent II: Peace

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Why couldn’t I just settle down and be present? Have I not been spending enough time in silence? Am I suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder? Is this more evidence that I have ADHD? I looked around the sanctuary artfully decorated … Continue reading →