On Thursday I received my first copies of Celtic Advent: Following An Unfamiliar Path, which is now available at Amazon outlets around the world. I am very excited about this book, which provides a fresh approach to Advent that reawakens our awe as it opens our eyes and our ears, in fact all our senses, to the wonder of God’s story once more. In the company of saints and artists, storytellers and poets, this devotional encourages us to we tread a new path, step outside the boundaries of conventional knowledge, and explore new ways to enter the story of God. We walk with some well known characters like Patrick, Columba, Brigid and Hilda, but also with less known Celtic saints like Ia and Non. It takes us on a journey, a pilgrimage in fact through the six weeks before Christmas, beginning November 13th and ending on Christmas Day. Six Weeks, six themes:
- Holy Wanderings
- Guests of the World
- Reaching for Hope
- Searching for Peace
- Joy In The Journey
- Embracing Love
A big thank you to those who have already purchased copies. I understand they have already arrived in Scotland and Canada. This was a fun book to work on and I look forward to delving into it again, not as a writer but as a participant in the wondrous journey towards the birth of Christ. I hope you will join me, and don’t forget that you can purchase bulk copies directly from me at a discount price. They will take about 2 weeks to arrive, so get your orders in early to be ready for the beginning of Celtic Advent. Unfortunately this discount will only apply in the US. However if you want to purchase prayer cards to assist in your Advent journey, these can be purchased through Godspacelight, and can be shipped anywhere in the world. There is one set specifically for Advent and another set of Celtic cards you might like to look at. I am considering putting another set together, probably for next year. Let me know if you have any suggestions for that.
Video = Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path
After I wrote my Meditation Monday: Stay Close to the Cracks, one person commented “we have to find that balance. I have often said that our goal is to stay close to the cracks, to know and even feel, the pain of others. But then, through prayer and meditation, to put those burdens on Jesus’ shoulders. I don’t think we are strong enough to carry them, but He is.” I agree wholeheartedly. I don’t think we should turn away from the hurts of our world and God’s beloved children who inhabit it, but sometimes we do need to limit what we watch, and make sure we check the facts that are inflammatory and sometimes confusing. God intends us to be involved in the world’s pain, reaching out as healers and comforters when we see the light shining in the cracks. The link to Leonard Cohen’s song, Anthem, was the most popular I have posted so far.
The Spiritual Practice of Giving God Joy, which I posted on Friday encouraged a lot of people to stop and consider the question “What does God enjoy about me?” I think it is an important question for all of us to write as we move forward as followers of Christ. I hope you will read the post and take seriously my suggestion to make a list of what about you gives God joy.
Many of you have very much enjoyed the last episode of Liturgical Rebels – my interview with John Philip Newell about Celtic Spirituality. I loved listening to this interview again and heartily recommend it to those who have not listened. John Philip Newell is a fascinating person. This week’s episode, another in our series on Celtic Spirituality, is an interview with another inspirational person Christine Valters Paintner, a Benedictine oblate and the online Abbess at Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet and the author of more than 20 books on the spiritual life. Her newest book is A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness. Christine lives on the wild edges of Ireland with her husband John and dog Sourney, where they lead online programs for a global community. I first met Christine Valters Paintner when she lived in Seattle many years ago, and continue to be enriched by her deep spirituality and insights. I think this is another interview you will really enjoy.
Lilly Lewin’s latest Godspacelight post, comes to us from the island of Iona. In Freerange Friday: Art is my Thinplace, she quotes Christine Valters Paintner in The Soul of a Pilgrim. One of the metaphors I use in teaching the expressive arts is pilgrimage. On a pilgrimage, as in art-making, we take a journey to encourage the sacred within ourselves in a more intimate way.” I love that concept and am intrigued by the journey Lilly shares with us from her thin place, Iona. One celebration I forgot to highlight last week is world communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October when we join with followers of Jesus all over the world and form many different denominations to promote Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. You might like to check out two previous Godspacelight posts about this Carol Dixon’s World Communion Sunday 2019 and June Friesen’s World Wide Communion Sunday 2021. They are both worth reflecting on.
As I mentioned last week, Tom and I are getting ready to fly to Australia on October 16th so my thoughts too are set on pilgrimage, though of a different sort. Part of the purpose of our trip is to attend a memorial time for my brother Nick who died a couple of months ago. I am also looking forward to catching up with friends and family. Can you believe it 16 of my medical school friends will gather with Tom and I for a celebration while we are there. Another friend is travelling all the way from New Zealand to spend time with us. It will be a fun trip, though we are not looking forward to that 15 hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney. We appreciate your prayers for travelling mercies.
Today my heart is heavy as I read about Hurricane Milton so close behind Hurricane Helene bringing devastation to yet more lives. I grieve for those who have lost life and livelihood not just because of these disasters but because of all the devastation in our world. Ongoing conflict in Haiti, Sudan, Afghanistan and so many other places. Lives lost through drought and poverty and illness. For the ongoing impact of wars in Ukraine, and the Middle East. I think of those who are helping – first responders, FEMA, health care workers, volunteers from around the world. We cannot understand why God allows such devastation, but I am aware that God is very present in the midst of it.
God almighty, maker of the earth and all of life,
We grieve with you today,
For those forced to flee,
From hurricanes, wars and political unrest.
For places where violence flares
And we turn away,
Yesterday’s news
Overshadowed by today’s disasters.
Let us remember in the midst of our pain,
You are always with us,
Our shelter in the midst of every tragedy.
In the quiet and the storm you surround us,
Your love stays closer than a friend.
In this time of storm, of mudslide and disaster
Be with all who are vulnerable.
Hold them close as the winds blow, the oceans rage and the land slides.
Place your arms around them as the fires burn, trees fall and rivers rise.
Keep them safe from wind and rain and flying debris.
Guide those that respond, keep them safe.
Give wisdom to those who direct rescue operations.
Be with first responders, electric workers and emergency crews,
With all who reach out to neighbours with your love and compassion.
Comfort and protect them in the midst of danger and of strife.
May all find shelter under the embrace of your wings.
Many blessings on all of you today
Christine Sine