Tag: Advent

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Advent Word 2019, Day 6 ‘House’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #House The prophet Isaiah invites us and ‘all the nations’ to go up to the ‘house of God,’ the place where God dwells (Isaiah 2:2). For the ancient Israelites it was the tabernacle, then the temple. For us the place where God dwells may be the church, or the natural world, or the inner depths of our hearts. It is the place to which we must return to learn to live well. Br. David Vryhof, SSJE, is a monk, priest, and community Communications Director of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal religious community for men in … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 6 ‘House’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 5 ‘Raise’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Raise When we raise something, we put it above everything else, make it stronger, better, and more noticeable. What is our focus for all the things that we raise in our own lives: children, questions, concerns, taxes, salaries, walls, fences, money, prayers, and more? Isaiah proclaims that the mountain of the Lord’s house “shall be raised above the hills.” It will draw all people and nations to God. Advent echoes this prophecy and offers us the ability to focus and redirect all that we raise up in the present to the future hope and promise of Jesus Christ. Shelagh … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 5 ‘Raise’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 4 ‘Humble’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Humble “…do justice…love kindness…walk humbly with your God.” These words from the prophet Micah stand in contrast to the ways of the world, where power and self-importance reign, and humility is seen as weakness. As followers of Jesus we are called to lives of humble service, letting go of ego in order to care for the oppressed, love our enemies, and share Christ’s peace with all. The Rev. Canon Loren Lasch (VTS ’08) is the Diocese of Missouri Canon for Formation and the president of the VTS Alumni Association Executive Committee. The Celtic Cross in St Aidan’s Chapel at … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 4 ‘Humble’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 3, ‘Time’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Time Advent proclaims that time is of the essence. But rather than flying away, the Coming of the King reveals that time keeps slipping into the future. And what will God’s future look like? – the truth, beauty and love of a newborn child that no power on earth can withstand. The Rev. Nicholas Porter is the cofounder and Executive Director of Jerusalem Peacebuilders. The sundial at Ely Cathedral. The Greek words at the top read ‘Kairon Gnothi’, meaning ‘Choose the timely moment’. Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 3, ‘Time’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 2, ‘Visit’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Visit In Palestine, visits are not planned or coordinated in advance. Guests just show up at your door. In traditional Palestinian houses, there is a saloon designated for guests and always available. The household always has food and drink set aside for such occasions. So, when the guests arrive, they can enjoy their presence. So, we should always be ready for God to visit. Shadia Qubti is manager and lead for faith and development for World Vision in the Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza branch. The steel nativity in the city of steel ~ Sheffield Cathedral Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 2, ‘Visit’

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Advent Word 2019, Day 1 ‘Unexpected’

Catherine Lee

Happy Advent Sunday to you all ~ Advent Word Global Advent Calendar 2019 starts today! Advent is a busy time. Lots of events going on, and lots of preparations getting ready for Christmas, so it’s good to stop a little and take some time for meditation on the real meaning of Advent. For the past few years, I’ve taken part in the AdventWord project of the Episcopal Church, and this year too. It’s run by Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) – they invite different people to share a short meditation on a theme word. I will post those meditations and share … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 1 ‘Unexpected’

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Advent Word 2018, Day 24 ‘Celebrate 慶祝’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Celebrate #慶祝 「你可能認為，要忽略真正的好消息很難。」我的意思是，誰會錯過慶祝的機會?但是，我們卻錯過這個福音，12月25日的福音。 讓我們今年別錯過了。不論你怎麼看它，上帝來到這世上，不為別的，只為了愛。當你思考這件事時，你會知道，愛是好得無比的好消息，一個值得我們花時間來慶祝的好消息。 You would think that it would be hard to overlook really good news.  I mean, who would miss a chance to celebrate?  But, too often, we miss the good news, the real good news, of December 25. But let’s not do that this year.  Because no matter how you look at it, God coming into the world for no other reason but love is, when you think about it, incredibly good news—news that is worth making the time to #Celebrate. St. Mary’s Church, Holy Island.  All around is darkness, but the church door is open, … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 24 ‘Celebrate 慶祝’

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Advent Word 2018, Day 23 ‘Peace 平安’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Peace #平安 如同復臨節的人們，我們要等候，慢下腳步，除去使我們分心的事物並且尋找上帝應允我們的平安，直到伯利恆統治者的再來。安靜並接納平安的禮物，愛的果實，它就在你的內心裡而不在你的作為裡。記住，耶穌是一切平安的來源。 As Advent people, we are to wait, slow down, free ourselves from distractions and search for the peace that God has promised us through the coming of the ruler from Bethlehem. Be still and allow the gift of peace, the fruit of love, to be found within your being rather than in your doing. Remember that Jesus is the source of all peace. A cross in the Holy Island churchyard against the wall of the priory ruins. It’s Christmas Eve: wishing you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas! Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 23 ‘Peace 平安’

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Advent Word 2018, Day 22 ‘Persist 堅持’

Catherine Lee

#AdventWord #Persist #堅持 復臨節的季節幾乎快到最高潮時節。它是一段漫長的旅程，尤其對瑪麗亞和約瑟來說。他們親身體驗到堅持的意義，一直堅持直到應許的事物被成就。也許抄捷徑會是誘人的–「我們就在家裡獻祭吧。」但上帝不希望我們抄捷徑。上帝呼召我們，不是要我們選擇容易的道路。上帝要的是一群願意堅持旅途的人民，願意做足準備真實接納基督到我們的心裡和生活裡。 The season of Advent has almost reached its climax. It has been a journey, certainly for Mary and Joseph. They experienced first hand what it meant to persist, to keep going until all that was promised was fulfilled. It might have been tempting to take a shortcut–“Let’s just make an offering or a sacrifice and stay home.” But God does not want shortcuts. God does not call us to take the easy way. What God does require is a people who persist on the journey, who make all the necessary preparations to truly receive the Christ … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 22 ‘Persist 堅持’