Category Archives: Advent

Encountering God in Our Emotions

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

The Christmas season tends to evoke a range of emotion 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 what they are saying. “Why … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Popular Posts | Tagged Angry Pflümli, Campus Crusade, Cat, Descend with the mind, Fact Faith Feeling Train, Four Spiritual Laws, Jeff Imbach, Kevin Dooley, Living from the Heart, Richard J. Foster, Sanctuary of the Soul, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tambako the Jaguar, Theophan the Recluse | 3 Comments

Christ In Me, With Me, For Me

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

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 as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical | Tagged awareness, Christian.Rudman, David G.Benner, Holy Ground, Klezmatics, L'océan à Langland, Marie, presence, Presence and Encounter, self-preoccupation, stillness, Woody Guthrie | 3 Comments

A Wondrous Thought

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

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 more water. “My soul glorifies the Lord,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, Christopher Bulle, Contemplation, Cristina 1, Gaylon Keeling, God waits for us, Hafiz, Keeping Watch, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:43-55, Pietro Annigoni, Psalm 13:1, wondrous thought | 2 Comments

Waiting

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

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

Posted in Advent, Childhood | Tagged Advent, Christopher Bulle, Gerrit van Honthorst, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 9:6, Riding into the Sunset, The Nativity, waiting, Wes Peck | 1 Comment

Our Darkest Hour

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

Tomorrow is the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere. But for those of us on the other side of the world, winter begins with the longest night of the year. Advent comes to a climax in our darkest … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Poverty of Spirit, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged darkest hour, God's love, homelessness, hope, John 1:5, John 1:9, Luke 1:46-49, Pompeo Batoni, Progressive Housing Society, Rick Smotherman, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Wednesday Lunch Club | Leave a comment

Incarnation: Some Assembly Required

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

Incarnation: Some Assembly Required I open my door to welcome all that You are and PUT everyone comes in anxious thoughtful joyous distraught expectant ANGRY PUT (with compassion crushing PUT blame baring PUT vulnerability) lost God unassembled I feel Your … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer | Tagged Ademaro Bardelli 1934, Advent Poem, Georges Rouault, God unassembled, incarnation, some assembly required | Leave a comment

A Mysterious Place of Meeting

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I spent three days on Bowen Island walking, praying, and watching the seagulls. I noticed that when one or two birds landed on the calm sea others followed. God seemed to be telling me that as I rest in him, others … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Easter, Poverty of Spirit, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged Blessed are the poor in spirit, Bowen Island, dieraecherin, God's love, He Qi, Johannes B. Metz, Matthew 5:3, Nativity, o0o0xmods0o0o, Poverty of Spirit, retreat, Rob Des Cotes, seagulls | Leave a comment

Getting (Sort of) Ready to Celebrate Christ’s Birth

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

In two days Advent begins and with it comes that stress-inducing question: Are you ready for Christmas? Those words produce a flurry of images—shopping, decorating, baking, Christmas cards, and list making—that sends chills of expectations through my soul. I’m overwhelmed … Continue reading →