It is the season for gratitude, an emotion that, unfortunately, does not seem to come naturally for us. But we can intentionally choose to be grateful.
As we celebrate American Thanksgiving with gratitude and thanksgiving, many books come to mind. Here are a few of my favourites:
- Diana Butler Bass’s book Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks
- Ann Voskamp’s wonderful book: One Thousand Gifts
- Janice Kaplan : The Gratitude Diaries
- Brother David Steidl-Rast: Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer
- Joshua Choonmin Kang: Spirituality of Gratitude: Unexpected Blessings of Thankfulness
- Lynne M Baab: Two Hands: Grief and Gratitude in the Christian Life
- Robert A Emmons The Little Book of Gratitude: Create a Life of Happiness and Wellbeing By Giving Thanks
And if you want an inspiring short meditation on gratitude, as a prelude to your Thanksgiving meal, nothing can beat this video by Brother David Steindl-Rast.
NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I receive a small amount for purchases made through the above links. Thank you for supporting Godspacelight in this way.
There are only a few days left of the liturgical year and I have decided its time to reflect back on what God has said to me over the year. I have gathered all the stones that I used in my contemplative gardens this year, all my quotes and words of inspiration and encouragement and put them together for the day into a single garden.
I have savoured each of the rocks, holding them in my hand and reminding myself of how God used them as spiritual markers for me over the year. I am finding more and more that writing on rocks is an inspirational practice that provides tangible memories far more durable than paper.
It has been a profound experience, a wonderful reminder in this week of thanksgiving and gratitude of the guidance and direction of God and of the amazing grace of God that I have experienced in the process.
I encourage you too not to wait until the end of the calendar year to do some reflecting. Take time during this week of thanksgiving and gratitude to look back on what God has done in your life this year. Savour the memories you have of when and how God has spoken to you. Hopefully you have some tangible objects, like my rocks, to assist you. If not write down a list of memories from the year and what God has spoken to you.
American Thanksgiving is on Thursday, a day that I, like so many others, love to celebrate with friends and family. last year I wrote this liturgy for the season and a prayer entitled Thank God It Will Suffice.
Each year as we approach this day I am reminded of the power of thanksgiving and gratitude. It makes us happy, boosts our health, improves our immune system, helps us sleep better and even makes us score higher on tests.
I always try to take time at Thanksgiving to remind myself of the many blessings God has gifted me with and I encourage you to do the same. In the midst of travel, cooking and fun with family and friends take time this thanksgiving to offer up your gratitude to God for all the blessings of life, love and grace.
This last weekend I facilitated a retreat about getting ready for Advent, at a church in Seattle. Advent is meant to be a time when we focus on our celebration the coming of Christ yet we are all torn by the pressures of the culture that invite us to focus our celebrations on consumerism and over indulgence.
Our retreat discussions revolved around the need to negotiate the tension between the stress of busy consumerism and the joy of gathering with friends and family to share fun, food and fellowship, the stress of hectic activity and the desire to slow down and reflect. Reflective times provided fun opportunities to light candles, contemplate images, paint rocks and colour words of faith.
I encouraged participants to look back over the last year at items they have been given or created or else experiences they have been through and consider ways they could use these as a focus. One woman had recently gone through a traumatic relationship breakup and was struggling with lots of sad feelings. She decided that during Advent, every time she felt sad she would use that as a trigger for an act of kindness towards a friend or stranger. Another was reminded of the art journal she used to keep that has been neglected for the last couple of years. She felt God was prompting her to restart it.
What is Your Response?
The questions we grappled with are ones that I think are important for all of us to reflect on at this season and that I invite you to think about today:
- What gives you stress and makes you lean away from the light of Christ?
- What gives you joy and encourages you to lean close to the light of Christ?
- What helps you focus on the real meaning of the season and the light of Christ shining in our world?
- What really matters to you during the season of Advent/Christmas and how do you eliminate or reduce everything else?
My own preparations for Advent have me setting up my personal sacred space with my Advent garden, family photos and prayer cards which help me focus each day. I am also deciding on a short morning ritual that will help focus my day – this year I plan to read one of the prayer cards and its reflection that I put together a few months ago, then reflect on the phrase that is my theme for Advent this year “Lean towards the light of Christ”.
For our joint observances Tom and I will listen to a Gregorian chant at breakfast time, light the appropriate Advent candles, then read through the scriptures for the day from The Book of Common prayer.
These rituals help ground us in the real meaning of the season, allowing us to balance our desire to slow down and wait contemplatively for the coming of Christ with our desire for celebration and partying with friends and family.
What is your response?
I invite you to develop a focus for yourself during this Advent season. Watch the video below – this beautiful Advent song of longing is one way to focus our hearts and minds on the presence of God.
Take some time to look back over this last year.
- What practices and traditions from your past could provide a focus for you during this season?
- What have you created or been given, what memory stirring objects do you have that could provide a focus for you?
- What activities do you enjoy that could provide a focus for you?
Now get to work and establish your own sacred space and spiritual practice for the season. And remember make it simple, make it meaningful, stick to it.
Peruvian Nativity by Marcia Carole
One of my favorite artists is Marcia Carole. She leads ministry workshops with art in many countries. She was in Peru in not long ago, which inspired her newest creation – this ‘Peruvian Nativity – God Is With Us.’
I’m interested in her creative process, so below are some other pictures…. and part of her story as she created this lovely painting while in the hospital for chemo for stage 4 breast cancer, and her reflection about the implications of the Incarnation for the world, and for her.
Marcia writes, “I saw donkeys and alpacas when I visited Peru. It was fun to add these animals to the scene.” Here’s one of the early pictures of the process of painting this image:
Marcia writes, “ I am completing a nativity scene in response to my time in Peru. I love all the vivid colors there. No one is afraid of deep blue, bright orange or a green that pops with life.”
She printed the final image on Christmas cards:
I find all of Marcia’s art to be beautiful and engaging; it appeals to my aesthetic sense at a remarkable level. What is even more remarkable is that Marcia is still alive and being creative after struggling deeply with stage 4 breast cancer for quite awhile.
Being very painfully aware of her own mortality drives Marcia to God, drives Marcia to create art for the glory of God (art of many types and subjects), drives Marcia to reflect upon the meaning of the Incarnation for the whole world.
She does that well in a moving essay on her blog about what it’s like to create this painting while in the hospital for yet more chemo treatments. Read her entire short essay on her blog Art Engaging Story
Here’s an excerpt …
I get a spurt of energy and think for a moment that, just maybe, I don’t have stage 4 breast cancer. Maybe I am fine!
That joyous thought is quickly swept away when I get tangled in my yards of oxygen tubing or my side begins to ache because of the cancerous fluid remaining in my right lung. I’m rudely jerked back to my current reality. I am sick. And, it is a long journey to get somewhat better.
Then, I sigh, and begin again, adding layers of bright, happy colors to my painting. God with us – Christmas. God with skin on – Jesus – came to live among us. He humbly started His journey as a baby. I am always amazed at this truth. I take some pain pills for my lung, and quietly worship as I add more layers of beautiful color. Yes, Beauty came to our broken world, and to mine. Even my world of cancer.
Please pray for my friend Marcia, we would deeply appreciate that.
To see more of her marvelous work and get Christmas cards with this lovely ‘Peruvian Nativity’ scene, visit her at The Creative Call Art Store
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This article was first published on Global Christian Worship as Peruvian Nativity by Marcia Carole
These last couple of weeks have been challenging for all of us. The massacres in Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad have shocked and grieved us. The angry and fearful ways many have responded, closing their doors to refugees, have made us weep.
It is good in the midst of such trying situations to remind ourselves of God’s desire for wholeness and completion, and to reaffirm our own calling as God’s people to help bring that wholeness into being. God has left peace, and love, and community in embryo form and asks us to bring them to completion.
It was as I reflected on this that I wrote the prayer above.
Listen also to the song below and reflect on your own response to this situation. How would God ask you to be involved in bringing wholeness to people in these types of situations
Advent candles
Thanks Emma Morgan, for this beautiful creative series of Advent candle liturgies. I wanted to share it early for those who are still looking for ideas of how to celebrate each week during Advent.
A single candle wrapped in a wreath is lit each Sunday of Advent. Around this candle stories are shared and prayers are given and placed.
Hope candle
Candle Week 1 – Hope Candle
Hope Candle extra Materials: Small piece of paper or newspaper for each person. Markers.
Introduction.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this first week of Advent is a candle of hope. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the hope that came to this world when Jesus was born and his presence with us. Jesus said “I came so that everyone would have life, life in all its fullness. “
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the hope that Jesus has given us this week. When have you seen the gift of hope this week? When have you known God’s rescue come into your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track “Dark Highway” by the Waifs for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of hope to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring fullness and hope into every life. We thank you for the hope you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of hope for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to write or draw your prayers of hope for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning and place it around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track “Dark Highway” by the Waifs.
Peace candle
Candle Week 2 – Peace Candle
Peace Candle extra Materials: Leaf for each person. Eg. Eucalypt or Bay.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this second week of Advent is a candle of peace. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the peace that Jesus brings into this world and his presence with us. Jesus said “27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.”
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the peace that Jesus has given us this week. When have you felt the gift of peace this week? When have you known God’s presence driving out fear in your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Peace at Last’ by Hem for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of peace to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring peace and freedom into every life. We thank you for the peace you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of peace for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to pick up a leaf and pray peace for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning then come and place your leaf prayer around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Peace at Last’ by Hem.
Joy candle
Candle Week 3 – Joy Candle
Joy Candle extra Materials: Confetti for each person.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this third week of Advent is a candle of joy. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the joy that Jesus brings into this world and his presence with us. Jesus said “ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the joy that Jesus has given us this week. When have you tasted the gift of joy this week? When have you known God’s provision, bringing happiness into your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Christmas Joy’ by Fiona Joy Hawkins for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of joy to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring answers and joy into every life. We thank you for the joy you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of joy for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to pick up some confetti and pray joy for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning then come and place your confetti prayers around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track ‘Christmas Joy’ by Fiona Joy Hawkins.
Love candle
Candle Week 4 – Love Candle
Love Candle extra materials: Purple crepe streamers cut into ribbons for each person. Markers.
We come together in the midst of a busy season to take a breath.
To breathe in together the life that God gives us. To listen to the beat of God’s heart and the blessings and lessons this season brings to us.
Each week of Advent we light this Advent Wreath. With its light comes our prayers and our stories.
The candle of this fourth week of Advent is a candle of love. Today the flame of this candle reminds us of the love that came to this world when Jesus was born and his presence with us. Jesus said “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love.”
Light the candle.
Let’s listen for a moment to the love that Jesus has given us this week. When have you shared in the gift of love this week? When have you known God’s love come into your life or life around you – in the big things or the small?
Music – Play iTunes track “How to Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly for around 1 min 30.
Share stories.
Has anyone got a story of love to share with us?
Prayer
We thank you Jesus that you want to bring love and relationship into every life. We thank you for the love you have brought to us. We bring to you now prayers of love for the people and places on our hearts this morning. Trusting in your powerful name.
Intercession
I invite you to write or draw your prayers of love for a person, place or situation on your heart this morning and place it around the candle.
Music – Play iTunes track “How to Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly
Emma Morgan is a pastor at Eastern Hills community church in Melbourne Australia. Emma has enjoyed curating services, retreats, seasonal celebrations, mediation lunches and dinner services for people of all ages and backgrounds for the past twelve years.
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This is part of a series on Christmas/Advent resources.
- Advent Activities for Families and Kids for 2020
- Helping Kids Give Back This Christmas
- Celebrate With Simplicity This Christmas
- Advent/Christmas Music from a Rich Array of Traditions
- Getting Ready for Advent/Christmas Worship Resources for the Season
- Choosing Your Scripture Readings for the Coming Year
- Who Will You Invite to the Manger?
- What On Earth Are The O Antiphons
Resources from Godspace for Advent and Christmas
Godspace has a variety of resources available for celebrating this season.
- NEW BOOK! Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas + Advent Cards Bundle compiled by Christine Sine and Lisa DeRosa
- Lean Towards the Light Advent Retreat Online – video sessions by Christine Sine along with handouts to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child this Advent.
- A Journey Toward Home: Soul Travel For Advent to Lent compiled by Kristin Carroccino and Christine Sine
- Waiting for the Light: An Advent Devotional compiled by Ricci Kilmer, Susan Wade and Christine Sine
- Prayer Cards – more than Christmas gifts. These have been used for daily devotions, grief counselling, small groups and congregational prayers.
Check out the entire resource list here for more ideas for Advent and Christmas.
Godspace has a number of Advent resources available for both free download and purchase. Visit our store.
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Resources from Godspace for Advent and Christmas
Godspace has a variety of resources available for celebrating this season.
Lean Towards the Light this Advent & Christmas + Advent Cards Bundle compiled by Christine Sine and Lisa DeRosa
A Journey Toward Home: Soul Travel For Advent to Lent compiled by Kristin Carroccino and Christine Sine
Waiting for the Light: An Advent Devotional compiled by Ricci Kilmer, Susan Wade and Christine Sine
Prayer Cards – more than Christmas gifts. These have been used for daily devotions, grief counselling, small groups and congregational prayers.
Check out the entire resource list here for more ideas for Advent and Christmas.
Godspace has a number of Advent resources available for both free download and purchase. Visit our store.
As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small amount for purchases made through appropriate links.
Thank you for supporting Godspace in this way.
When referencing or quoting Godspace Light, please be sure to include the Author (Christine Sine unless otherwise noted), the Title of the article or resource, the Source link where appropriate, and ©Godspacelight.com. Thank you!