Sun

30 Nov

Happy New Year! The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new church year.
The theme for the first week of Advent is HOPE.

As we begin this season, let’s get ourselves prepared.  You may want to create a small space where you can do your daily Advent reflection. You might want to make sure a journal or paper and pen is on hand, maybe have a candle to light or find some symbols or things of nature that have meaning to you.

Once you have curated your space read Matthew 24:36-44  and consider what jumps out or resonates with you today?  Where is the hope in this passage for you?  Spend some time in contemplation or write down your thoughts.

 

 

Mon

1 Dec

We know what it is to look around us and wonder what is going to happen next.  With political upheaval and polarity, a warming planet, declining mental health for many and especially our young people, increasing prices and cost of living, many of us are probably wondering the same things that were being wondered about in Jesus’ time – where is hope or what should we hope in?  Sometimes we must be quite intentional in our hope-searching, to look for glimmers amid the chaos or stress.

Take a moment to reflect on the different things that are happening in your life, the people in around you, what they are doing.  What small signs of hope and encouragement do you find ?  Give thanks for those glimmers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tue

2 Dec

Watch the news, as you do take note of the situations that seem hope-full (glimmers) and hope-less – you may want to write them down.  When the news is finished spend time praying for the situations that seem hope-less and giving thanks for the glimmers of hope that you can see.

 

Wed

3 Dec

Breath prayer has ancient roots, attributed to the desert mothers and fathers in the 3rd century.  It is a simple way of connecting with God.  Breath prayer helps calm our nervous system down when we are worried or stressed, it can restore equilibrium and help us manage difficult times.  As we pray, we inhale slowly on the first line, and exhale slowly on the second line.  Repeat several times to get into a good rhythm.

(Inhale) Faithful and loving God
(Exhale) Fill me with hope

 

 

 

Thu

4 Dec

The theme for the first week of Advent is Hope brought about by prophecy.  Amid the many voices that we get exposed to every day, what are the voices that are speaking to you?  Are they useful voices?  Are they life giving and encouraging?  Are they compassionate and also challenging?

Consider the role of the prophet in ancient times, serving as a warning, a reminder, a vision bringer, a pointer to hope and reorientation towards God.  Consider the books your read, the content that comes up on your social media, the people you spend the most time with, how are those voices speaking into your life? How is God speaking into your life?

As you review these voices and influences, pray for discernment to help you choose which voices are the ones worth listening to and how you might better hear God’s voice.

 

Fri

5 Dec

Being a hope bringer.

Reflecting on your local community where you live or work, is there a situation that you could bring hope to – the offer of a meal to someone who is sick?  Donating needed items to a local school or food bank? Sending a message of encouragement to someone you know is struggling?

Do something today that will bring hope to someone else.

 

Sat

6 Dec

In Isaiah 2:1-5 it talks about going up to the mountain of the Lord.

Take a moment today to find a “mountain”.  If you have a walkable hill close by, use that or take yourself to a high place where you can look over the world.  As you look over this space, pray for the people, the places, the natural world that is there.  Pray for healing and for hope.  If you can’t manage a high space, sit outside and imagine the places and people around you and pray for them.