Reflection
The strange and remarkable thing about Advent is that it is a combination of the unknown and the utterly predictable. It can be as exciting as the little paper doors and windows that our children open each day in the Advent calendar; it's as known and familiar as the words to the Advent songs that we can easily sing from memory. And somewhere in between these two extremes lies the meaning of Advent and its significance for us.
The true essence of Advent is about a journey. The first Advent the adventure was there in all its terrifying, harsh, bewildering reality. Mary visited by an angel and waited for her baby to be born, not knowing what kind of life her son would lead or what kind of impact it would have on her. The pregnancy burst in upon her and imposed a new direction on her life. All she knew was that she was bearing the Messiah, the Long-Awaited One. The rest was pure adventure. Passing through Advent means we to need to move, to go on an adventure .
Prayer
Watch, dear Lord, with those who cannot sleep and those who weep this night.
Tend the sick, give rest to the weary and bless the dying.
Relieve those who are suffering, have pity on those in great distress, and shield those who are happy. Amen.
(St Augustine)
Readings
Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 63,Matthew 2: 13-18
Prayer
It came upon a midnight clear.
No comments:
Post a Comment