Month: December 2024

Advent: Peace, Day 4 Reading: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” [1] Reflection: In war, peace comes when one side surrenders to the other. In business, peace may come through consensus where competing sides find a resolution that … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Advent: Peace, Day 4 Reading: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” [1] Reflection: In war, peace comes when one side surrenders to the other. In business, peace may come through consensus where competing sides find a resolution that … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Advent: Peace, Day 3 Reading: “Christmas comes with many assumptions – some helpful, some not so much. Spirituality also comes with many assumptions, and the ones that fail us are the ones we make about what it’s supposed to look like, who is worthy for it to happen to, and what kind of outcome it’s … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Advent: Peace, Day 2 Reading: “He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in the place of the two, thus making peace.” [1] Reflection: The more than 600 laws set out in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) to guide Jewish … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Advent: Peace, Day 1 Reading: “For a child has been born for us…and he is named…Prince of Peace” [1] Reflection: Peace, the third theme of Advent, springs from the Hope we find as we experience Emmanuel – God with us. Peace comes as we learn to trust that God’s presence within us is real, even … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Saturday, December 7, 2024 Advent: Hope, Day 7 Reading: “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation…so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know the hope to which he has called you…” [1] Reflection: Entering Advent with the intention of allowing … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Friday, December 6, 2024 Advent: Hope, Day 6 Reading: “The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” [1] Meditation: It is written, and I agree, … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Thursday, December 5, 2024 Advent: Hope, Day 5 Reading: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” [1] Reflection: The theme of Hope is a subtle, but profound illustration of the Advent season of waiting. Indeed, … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Advent: Hope, Day 3 Reading: …it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep…the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [1] Reflection: The birth of the Christ-child within is a much … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas