#AdventWord #Beloved You are loved. Three simple words. And yet words that can transform…everything! The New Testament asserts that “love is from God, because God is love.” This love is nothing less than the saving lifeblood for a global family that often feels and acts in very unloving ways. All too often, we are hemorrhaging fear and hurt because we allow selfishness—the opposite of love—to fill our veins and kill our souls. And the world can be transformed. Yet in this quest, a key thing to remember is that God is the initiator of reconciliation, not we human beings. The … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 24 ‘Beloved’

#AdventWord #Bless In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us of the power we all have to BLESS others when we are following the way of love. “…the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” Every day and every encounter is an opportunity for blessing. Jenny Grant is the Officer for Global Relations and Networking in the Global Partnerships office of The Episcopal Church. Looking down from among the octagon … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 19 ‘Bless’

#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’

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’