It’s the beginning of the third week of Celtic Advent, and on Sunday we also begin the first week of traditional Advent. Both are focused on hope and the longing for God to reach into our broken world and bring the light of Christ into all that are around us. Some of you might be a little uncomfortable with me beginning this week in Celtic Advent – Follow An Unfamiliar Path with the life of Pelagius, who was named a heretic by Augustine of Hippo and excommunicated. He saw in every newborn child the image of God and that Christ came to uncover that image buried deep within each of us. I think we often need to look for hope outside the mainstream paths of religion and culture. Where do you find hope in our world today?
Last week we focused on what it means to be both guests of the world and hosts to the world. Several people, who love to hike and spend time in God’s good creation, told me that they have never thought of themselves as guests of nature. Even more startling for some is the thought that God comes a guest into our world, looking for a place of harmony, peace and beauty in which to live once more. They felt that this week’s readings were both thought provoking and challenging. I would love to hear your thoughts too. Don’t hesitate to email me if you want to let me know your response to the book. And please consider writing a review on Amazon, at this point there are none at all. But, the more reviews, the more likely that others will find my book too.
One of my delights this week was that Forrest Inslee decided to publish one of the reflections from my book on the Earthkeepers podcast. He chose Creation Hospitality with St Kevin (57) . It is read by Brother Seán Aherne, an Irish monk who lives on the outskirts of Dublin and is very familiar with the St. Kevin story. I love to hear my words read by someone with such a distinct Irish brogue.
Most of us here in the U.S. are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Tom and I will begin the day with a brunch celebrated with community members present and past. We will also enjoy a very quiet meal on our own but still decided to cook a turkey with all the trimmings. My Meditation Monday – A Thanksgiving Prayer will provide our liturgy for the meal with our community. You might also like to check out Lilly Lewin’s Freerange Friday – Angels and Invitations she reminds us that the birth of Jesus and the season of Advent are both invitations…An Invitation into the story of God with us, God coming to this planet, in person. A great post to read as you reflect on the beginning of traditional Advent.
Over the weekend we will very quickly get into the spirit of Christmas. We will purchase our Christmas tree and get out our Advent wreath, a beautiful Celtic patterned wreath we were gifted several years ago. It will sit on the dining room table until the end of the Christmas season and we will light the appropriate candles each morning before we read our reflection and scripture for the day. This is a daily practice that grounds us in special way throughout the season.
This year I have decided not to do a live Advent retreat as I am having trouble catching up with the busyness of the season after my trip to Australia. However there are a number of Advent retreats from previous years that you can access if you would like to spend some personal time in retreat in the next few weeks. Available on thinkific are a couple of fun Advent retreats, one that Lilly Lewin and I recorded a couple of years ago – Walking in Wonder Through Advent and another I did on my own Lean Towards the Light This Advent. The handout for the Quiet Day Advent Retreat I did a couple of years ago is also available as a free download. And don’t forget the Advent Jar. I thought that some of you would like to read these instructions on how to create a jar first.
Let me end with this responsive reading which is a part of a liturgy I wrote several years ago for Advent.
The advent of the Lord is near.
New light dawning where there has been darkness.
The advent of the Lord is near.
New hope reigning where there has been death and despair.
The advent of the Lord is near.
New light, new hope, new life for all creation.
(Pause for lighting of the Advent candle)
This is a season of watchfulness,
We watch and wait for the One who heard our cries and entered the suffering of our world,
We expect new light to shine as the season of joy approaches,
We wait in anticipation for God’s light to penetrate the darkness and radiate within us,
This is a season of preparation,
We watch and wait for the One who broke down the barriers separating us from God, from each other and from God’s creation,
We wait with repentant hearts to prepare the way of the Lord,
This is a season of promise.
We watch and wait and prepare our hearts for the promised coming of Emmanuel,
God with us, God for us, God in us
We wait in hope for our Redeemer to bring God’s love into our broken world,
This is a season of reflection,
We watch and wait expecting to be transformed by the light of God’s holiness.
So that we might serve in God’s kingdom as bearers of light and guide others to the Light.
We wait expectantly for God’s Saviour to come and dwell in our midst,
This is a season of fulfillment,
We await and celebrate the coming of God’s Kingdom with its promise of shalom, of wholeness, of reconciliation and abundance for all.
We wait for the fulfillment of God’s covenant, for God’s Kingdom to come in its fullness,
This is a season of joyful anticipation,
Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day and become God’s people
And the glory of God’s Kingdom will be revealed and all people will see it together
We wait expectantly attentive to all the signs of Christ’s coming.
Many blessings
Christine Sine