Welcome to our Celebration of Advent!
As we enter the Season of Advent, we also prepare for and anticipate the Jubilee Year of Hope, a time that invites us to reflect deeply on the profound gift of hope that sustains us in our daily lives. Advent is a sacred invitation to awaken our hearts to the promise of Christ’s coming, both in history and in our personal lives. In the spirit of being “Pilgrims of Hope,” as we light the candles on our Advent wreaths we are called to recognize the light that breaks through our darkness, symbolizing the light of Christ illuminating the path towards renewal and transformation. As we journey through this Season, let us embrace the opportunities presented to us, moments of prayer, reflection, and community that can deepen our connection to God and each other. May we support one another as we renew our hope, both as individuals and as a faith community.
Wishing you a blessed Advent Season filled with joy and hope.
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
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Advent Reflections by Sheila O’Handley, Diocesan Hermit
The Christian Liturgical Season of Advent will soon be upon us. Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus of Nazareth celebrated annually at Christmas. Advent also offers us the opportunity to reflect on the Gift of Life housed in the doctrine of the Incarnation.
The Incarnation – God’s Original Love impulse that gave birth to Jesus, also gave birth to cosmic creation – a universe of 17 billion years, and in time LIFE – all living creatures including humankind, and continues the advancement of LIFE in the here and now. The doctrine of the Incarnation is the narration of God’s Love Story – its’ wonders, its’ struggles and its’ possibilities.
I wonder what difference our experience of Advent and Christmas might be if our attention shifted somewhat from the single past event of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to include all cosmic LIFE housed in the Incarnation.
During the next four weeks join me as I offer reflective meditations which will be expressed in poetry and art, to focus our hearts, our homes, our communities, and our liturgies in preparation for the celebration of Christmas – the Incarnation happening Now.
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Week One: Life
Welcome to the graced moments of Advent. As mentioned in the invitation last week, Advent reflections this year will focus on the Gift of Life homed in the doctrine of the Incarnation – God’s continued narration of Original Love.
The following poem – birthing – offers the image of Life as a birth canal.
birthing
birthing
expansions
contractions
breathing
bearing down
pushing through
the birth canal of life
the dwelling place of the divine.
Life is a womb of miracles and mysteries, the unveiling of Life’s ultimate meaning. It is the dwelling place of the Divine. Life is ignited from within questing for union with God – Original Love.
“Oneing” was the preferred word created by the 14th century mystic, Julian of Norwich to describe union with God. Jesus, in conversation with Julian assured her … “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.” Life has one request only – trust evolving Life.
Life has a movement of its own – that of more Life. Jesus affirmed in the Gospel of John 10:10, the more-ness of life… “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” He tells us also in Luke 12:20, that the fullness of life is among us – homed within us… “For, you must know that the kingdom of God is among you.”
Cosmic life has its Advent moments for sure, moments of – darkness and uncertainty, a slowing down and a waiting, expansions and contractions, suffering and at times even death. Life’s Advent moments touch our lives at one time or another, bearing down, and tugging at the heart with varying degrees of affection and emotional intensity. They are essential components in the birth canal of evolving Life.
Change is integral to evolving Life. It may be suddenly abrupt or incrementally slow. Conversion – a change in consciousness in one’s perceptions, judgements and actions are also integral to Life. At times conversion as well as change often feels like the bearing down and the pushing through of birthing. If there is no change, no conversion, and no letting-go Life’s possibilities are aborted.
What is required of us during Life’s Advent moments is a stance of trust in God’s Original Creative Love which narrates chapter after chapter the promise of Life to the full.
Let us take some time the first week of Advent to:
- Ponder and savour the profound words of Jesus, “I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full” … John 10:10, and Luke 12:20…” For, you must know that the kingdom of God is among you.”
- And the words of Jesuit scientist-theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “We shall never know all that the Incarnation still expects of the world’s potentialities. We shall never put enough hope in the growing unity of humankind.”
- Behold Mother Earth in this season of her quiet time of letting-go in preparation for begetting new Life, come Spring.
- What is asking to come to birth in and through you?
- What Advent movements are presently experienced in you, in your home, in your community and in your place of worship?
- What is it that must be let-go?
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Advent Family Prayer
God of Love, Your Son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of Your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
as we wait and prepare for His coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
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Journey Through Advent: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Each video in the series serves as an introduction to the liturgical season of Advent and presents reflections on the Gospel readings for each Sunday leading up to Christmas.
This year’s spiritual reflections are delivered by the Most Reverend Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (in English), and the Most Reverend René Guay, Bishop of Chicoutimi (in French).
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