Advents 2022 runs from November 27th through December 24, 2022 The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit,” begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of […]
Advent -Day 19
<<<<Back to Advent Calendar Fear, Faith and Joy And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel […]
Advent -Day 18
<<<<Back to Advent Calendar What is the Joy in Christmas? What is the Joy of Christmas? If the joy of Christmas is found solely in traditions: putting up a tree, cooking special meals, shopping, wrapping and giving presents, then, where is the joy when doing those things are no longer possible? In yesterday’ meditation, I […]
Advent -Day 17
<<<Back to Advent Calendar Moving Toward Joy While many of us are eagerly anticipating Christmas and looking forward to enjoying time with family and friends, there are others that are struggling. Whether because of the loss of a loved one, or loss because of poor financial circumstances, finding joy may seem like an impossibility. I […]
Advent -Day 23
<<<Back to the Advent Calendar Root of Jesse Happy 23rd Day of Advent 2022! In addition to Advent Calendars, another way we can mark the days in Advent is by using a Jesse Tree. The idea of the Jesse Tree is that stop and reflect on the the royal lineage (familial and spiritual) of Jesus. […]
Advent -Day 26
<<—-Back to the Advent Calendar A Rose Blooms in Winter! We are well into the 4th week of Advent and expectation is growing! Early in the morning right before the sun rises there is a brightening on the horizon. The darkness splits and the curtain begins to rise on the day. Just as we anticipate […]
Advent -Day 25
<<<Back to the Advent Calendar Seek Infinite Joy I saw a few Christmas related commercials this week (yes, dear hearts, there is a television in the anchorage 😊). Anyway, I saw some commercials this week where the message was, “Spread a little joy”. Different products were being peddled: funny socks, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and bath […]
Advent -Day 10
<<<Back to the Advent Calendar A Saint for Advent: St. Nicolas December 6. “St. Nick” or Santa Claus is often associated with the Christmas season. Lost in the storytelling, movies, and Coke commercials that feature that that “jolly elf” with his sleigh and reindeers, is the true story was a Saint Nicholas. He really is […]
Advent -Day 21
<<<Back to the Advent Calendar The Seven O’s of Advent In the last days of Advent, there are special short refrains or antiphons that are often added to evening prayers; all beginning with O… They are a called the “O Antiphons”. The antiphons were composed in the seventh or eighth century. There is even some […]
Advent -Day 27
<<<Back to the Advent Calendar O Come Emmanuel Over the past six days, I’ve been discussing the Seven O’s of Advent: seven little hymns, each sung on one of the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve. They remind us about the character of the coming Messiah. Today’s antiphon is O Emmanuel. Emmanuel means God […]