#AdventWord #Purify #潔淨 ‘“Purify our conscience almighty God, by your daily visitation….”. So begins the collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2022. We are exhorted to open up space in our hearts, minds, and souls for God’s grace, that we may find the strength and courage to become cleansed crystal clear in God’s sight. How can we manage to do this? Through self-control, prayer, repentance, wholehearted devotion to the ways of Jesus in our daily lives. In return, God sees our potential, continually renewing us with the living water of the Spirit, continually freeing us from guilt and shame. … Continue reading Advent Word 2022, Day 22 ‘Purify’ 潔淨

#AdventWord #Traveler #旅人 ‘People of faith are travelers, from trudging through deserts of antiquity to present-day pilgrims sauntering along the Camino de Santiago. I have taken youth to walk the Camino in Spain. It was my first international trip. I was excited about receiving a passport stamp. A passport full of stamps has long been proof of a well-lived life for travelers. Each of us is a traveler according to God’s itinerary or our own. No matter what we choose, God places stamps upon our souls. What story do those stamps tell? What stamps will mark your soul this Advent … Continue reading Advent Word 2022, Day 20 ‘Traveler’ 旅人

#AdventWord #Beloved #被愛的 ‘“Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7). It is challenging to practice patience in the best of times, and during Advent, it seems many in the church struggle to slow down and be. I feel guilty with my own impatience, and yet, as I read this passage from James, I find comfort: we are still God’s beloved. The scriptures this week remind us that the Messiah is coming. We are called to be faithful and wait and are promised all will be made new in God’s time for all of creation—for us—God’s … Continue reading Advent Word 2022, Day 18 ‘Beloved’ 被愛的

#AdventWord #Stranger #陌生人 ‘Sometimes you pass a stranger and do a double take. There’s a knowing as you both stop, talk, look into each other’s eyes. You recognize the light in them and they the light in you. You are people of faith, perhaps extended family through Abraham and Sarah. You touch your heart, smile, and bow with hands in prayer position. When I first saw an old Muslim man in Marrakech, I did not know that we would become friends. All week, he called out excitedly to me in Arabic. “He says he’s happy to see you,” someone translated.’ … Continue reading Advent Word 2022, Day 17 ‘Stranger’ 陌生人

#AdventWord #Wilderness #曠野 ‘In a wild deer state. Not touched by civilization. Wilderness is not yet remade in the image of man. Wilderness is alien to our hopes, fears, dreams, self-centeredness and self-righteousness, frustrations, catastrophes and successes. It is separate from our habits, preferences, love, anger, or despair. Taking care in what we carry, some of us go to the wilderness to “get away from it all,” some to revel in the beauty of creation and some to test themselves there. From the wildness, from outside anything and everything about us, a voice calls to us, “Think again! Prepare for … Continue reading Advent Word 2022, Day 16 ‘Wilderness’ 曠野

#AdventWord #Messenger #使者 ‘We who have been baptized are God’s messengers, just like John the Baptist. Join me this Advent in examining your life and in committing to a daily apostleship. Let us allow God to use us as instruments. Moved by the Holy Spirit, let us proclaim daily, at the top of our lungs, that there is a God of Love. Let us open doors that are shut off by hatred or resentment. Let’s prepare people to open up, allowing love to enter their hearts.’ (The Rev. Carlos Holmes Rendón Agudelo) Tower Bridge, London ‘Moved by the Holy Spirit, … Continue reading Advent Word 2022, Day 15 ‘Messenger’ 使者