#AdventWord # Sprout #發芽 這是一個期待的時節，就像我們經歷過的那些好奇及奇妙的時刻；好比我們期待秧苗開始發芽，希望他們能生根。我們被呼召要忠實的撒下種籽，這些種籽在必來的那日子會生根並發芽。去探究去觀看那些希望的嫩枝並留神那些今日發生的奇妙事。願發生在你身上的奇妙事能激勵你持續撒種。 This is a time of expectancy, much like the moments of curiosity and wonder we experience while we anticipate the sprouting of seedlings, hoping that they will take root. We are called to faithfully sow seeds that will take root and sprout in the promised days that are surely coming. So be curious and watch for those sprouts of hope and be alert to the wonders that abound today. May your marvelment inspire you to keep on sowing. One of Holy Island’s many dry stone walls.  The picture says it all. Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 6, ‘Sprout 發芽’

#AdventWord #Light #亮光 耶穌，上帝給人類的禮物，是基督再來的真光。祂是「世上的光」，戰勝靈性的黑暗，讓每個相信祂的人都成為光之子，透過體貼的話及善良的行為，在黑暗的世上如星星一般閃耀。 Jesus, God’s gift to humanity, is the true light of Advent. He is the “light of the world” and conquers spiritual darkness so that those who believe in him may be children of light, shining as stars in the dark world through loving words and kind acts. St. Mary’s Church on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, built sometime before 1145, is believed to be built on the site of St. Aidan’s first wooden church. With many changes through the ages, and after major renovation in 1860, it is still in use as the parish church. Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 5 ‘Light 亮光’

#AdventWord #Night #夜晚 在黑暗時，靈魂難以尋覓一個安穩之處。看起來似乎淒涼，但並不一定孤單。早在你遭遇少數(或許多)困頓的夜晚前，詩篇就預見我們現今的經歷:「我每夜流淚，濕透床榻。」不要背離在夜晚遭遇的困頓，而要讓基督的光照耀，再次驅走黑暗。 Nighttime of the soul is not an easy place to find oneself. It can seem desolate, but it need not be lonely. Long ago, before you encountered your few (or many) difficult nights, the Psalmist predicted this modern experience: “every night I drench my bed with tears.” So, do not turn away from the truth encountered at night. But make space for the light of Christ to dispel the darkness once again. In 651, on the night that Aidan died, Cuthbert heard God’s call as he tended sheep in the hills.  He became a monk at … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 4 ‘Night 夜晚’

#AdventWord #Focus #專注 專注是需要學習的，在我們高度數位化的時代中，專注變得更難。讓我們一起進入基督再來的這個季節，專注於耶穌的話語，形象以及承諾。當祂再顯現時，這一切會告訴我們:「那日子必將再來。」當我們專注定睛於耶穌時，「生活中的憂慮」必將被神的國度所代替。 Focus is a learned practice, made more difficult in our hyper-connected digital age. Let us enter this season of Advent with a commitment to focus on the words, images, and promises of Jesus. They will tell us “the days are surely coming” when He will appear. With our focus on Jesus, the “worries of this life” will be replaced by the Kingdom of God. In AD 634, at the request of King Oswald, the monks of Iona sent Aidan to bring the knowledge of Christ to Northumbria. Aidan asked to settle on the island of Lindisfarne, … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 3 ‘Focus 專注’

#AdventWord #Watch #留心 上帝一直都在而且在我們周遭的世界行奇事。仔細看，我們才不會錯過。仔細看，我們才能接受因上帝存在而改變的事實。仔細看，所以我們能夠跟別人分享上帝的福音。 God is always present and always doing a new thing in the world around us. Watch, so we don’t miss it. Watch, so we can be open to being changed by God’s presence. Watch, so that we may be able to share the good news of God with others. Dawn comes to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, with Lindisfarne Castle silhouetted on the left and Bamburgh Castle in the far distance.  Get out early and watch the new day dawning – take your flask of hot coffee and then wait for the sunrise! Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 2 ‘Watch 留心’

Happy Advent Sunday! #Advent Word #Journey #旅程 Advent Word Global Advent Calendar 2018 starts today – a project of the Anglican Communion originally started in Advent 2014 by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist Brothers SSJE in USA, then expanded to include Virginia Theological Seminary VTS, and now run by VTS. Each day there is a theme word and meditation. My AdventWord photo each day will link to the theme.  This Advent, all my photos will be chosen from among those I took on my visit to Holy Island, Lindisfarne from October 29 – November 3 (see that blog post … Continue reading Advent Word 2018, Day 1 ‘Journey 旅程’