From Emilie Griffin - The constancy of Jesus

Do I know someone whose world is falling apart? Or possibly—is my world falling apart? John the Beloved brings words of peace today, words we can enter into with confidence. Whatever the latest panic, the most fashionable consternation, Jesus Christ is constant, unfailing. He is the Word who became flesh and lived among us. As the year turns, and the world of politics and newsmaking screams its anxiety, still, Jesus Christ is yesterday, today, and forever.

A post by Emilie Griffin - Anna's vision

Is there a blessing not only in giving a gift, but receiving one? Not saying, as unruly children do, “I have two of these already…” “Oh, I’ve already read this…” “Oh, this will have to go back…” but rather, open to the loving Spirit, the Christ-spirit of giving, and gifting. The generous hearts we bring to Christmas giving…and receiving…are the Christ-spirit entering deeply into us. Anna’s deeper vision, her recognition of the Christ-child, can be ours today. When we are willing to be deep pools of godly grace.

A special post from Emilie Griffin - Simeon's moment

Today we reflect on Simeon’s moment with the Christ-child…and the ways in our own lives we can become open to grace. For those who celebrate December 25th as the holiday of the year, the days that follow can become an unexpected blessing. They are slower, less structured days, days of surprise visits and unexpected phone calls, moments of interruption, even of tolerating fools gladly. Who knows what the Lord has in store for us when the small knock comes, when the doorbell rings? Our task is to spot the blessing, no matter how disguised. Christ plays in ten thousand places… (As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins famously wrote.) Yes, the Christ-child plays. But will we, like Simeon, have the wisdom to know him whenever and wherever he comes?

We have no choice

Are you ready to surrender and open your heart to the wonder of Christmas? It is not as easy as it sounds, for there are always reasons to be afraid.

Theologian Karl Rahner once said, "We have no choice. God is with us." What does that mean?

Magnificat

Mary finds her voice today, and she proclaims her famous "Magnificat," known as The Song of Mary.

Take a few minutes to read it, today: Luke 1:46-55.

After reflecting on the text, consider: How do your values match up with those of Mary?

Life and pain

As Kathleen Norris so beautifully reminds us today, "Dawn emerges out of night, and the first cry of life comes from the pain of childbirth."

The Christ Child was born under the poorest of circumstances.

Do you think that Mary knew, on the day after the birth of Christ, what his destiny would be?

credulous vs yes

Mary clearly was not credulous, and yet, she said "yes," despite the potential embarrassment of the circumstances.

What is the difference between being credulous and saying "yes" to God?

Pregnant with hope and faith?

Are you pregnant with hope, and faith? We are all supposed to be pregnant today.

Reflect on this little poem by St. John of the Cross:

The Virgin, weighed
with the Word of God,
comes down the road:
if only you'll shelter her.

Sick of Christmas?

Are you sick of Christmas already, before it has even begun?

Kathleen Norris tells us that in the ancient church, "Christians were to seek out the church as a place where they could gather as a community not merely to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but to allow the power of the Incarnation to penetrate their lives."

What might this mean in your life? In our churches?

Productivity vs Fruitfulness

Do you know the difference, in your life, between productivity and fruitfulness?

Reconciliation

As Luci Shaw reminds us, today is a day to recall to mind all of those people whom we have shunned or ignored in the past year. Reconcile with them, at least in spirit, reminding yourself, and the world, that the body of Christ is for all.

Wholeheartedness

Today's reading is about wholeheartedness. Perhaps the most important Christian virtue. But how do we achieve it--and maintain it in a daily practice?

God as Architect

Luci Shaw reflects today on the metaphor of God as Architect. How is God the architect of your life this Advent season? Are you in need of new construction, redesign, a new foundation, some sort of addition, or...?

Knowing God

You have probably known God in times of both darkness and light, cold and warmth. Has it been easier to know God in good times, or in bad?

The power of small things

Please share the power of the "small things" you have experienced in your life.

Anticipation

Advent is also a season of Anticipation as we await the coming of the most important gift of all. Can you remember the last time you felt a sense of excitement as powerful as when you were a child at christmas? What significance does that memory have as you think of the anticipation of Advent?

Turning

Advent is a season of turning. What images speak to you, this day, of your own need to "turn away" and also, to "turn toward"?

The Power of Confession

Scott Cairns reminds us of the necessity of confessing our sins to another. When have you known the power of confession in your life?

Poor

How are you poor?

How is Christ quenching your thirst, this Advent?

Witnessing the Mystery

How are you preparing to witness The Mystery? This is a very different question from, Are your Christmas decorations hung? Have you purchased any gifts for the ones you love? How is it possible to school ourselves to better "see" and "hear" and participate in, The Mystery?

Cry Aloud

Do you have a sense of understanding the suffering of Christ, at times, in your life? Do you also have a sense of partaking, sometime in the future, in Christ's perfection? Which of these is easier for you to understand?

New Life

This is a day to focus on the possibility of new life. In what ways can you cooperate, or even stimulate, new life? And in what other ways do you perhaps stall its coming?

Liturgy assisting Faith

Scott Cairns remarks in today's reading that his faith is "assisted and sustained" by attending to the liturgical calendar. If you are new to the practice of observing Advent this year, how has it changed your perspective?

Yes or No?

It can be easy to accept Jesus as a baby in the manger. Who would say "no" to a lovable baby? But it is much more difficult to say "yes" to Jesus Christ, the man, the Son of God, who asks much of us and of our lives. Are there ways you are realizing you are saying "no" or "yes" to God?

Miracles?

What is your attitude toward miracles? Do you believe that miracles happen? Are they common? Are they necessary for faith?

Trust with eyes wide open

Faith is "trust with eyes wide open," according to Fr. Neuhaus in today's reading. How did Mary, the mother of our Lord, demonstrate this definition of faith?

Belief

What does it mean to believe, "Emmanuel--God with us"? Do you believe it? How does belief work in your life?

The Peaceable Kingdom

A future peace. The "peaceable kingdom." Do you seek a future time when there will be peace between species, between nations, between neighbors? Will God bring about that peace; will we; or some combination of the two?

Faith

Faith does not assert claims. Faith is the reception of a gift. Are you able to rest and enjoy the gift of faith this Advent? If so, please share how. If not, please discuss why not.

Emmanuel - God With Us

Emmanuel means "God with us." We believe that God is with us, but yet, we are always seeking God. Is there anything wrong with that?

Celebrating Advent

We invite our readers to share with us ideas and thoughts of how you will celebrate Advent (not Christmas) this year.