First Sunday of Advent

Today begins Advent. I thought I would share a few more resources that have come my way since my post below (click here). Perhaps one of these resources, readings, or reflections will connect with you this Advent season. I begin with a quote from Henri Nouwen that was in my inbox from the Henri Nouwen Society this morning. A good reminder to make the Word central to our Advent waiting, reflection, meditation, and prayer.

Waiting with the Word. Our waiting is always shaped by alertness to the Word. It is waiting in the knowledge that someone wants to address us. The question is, are we home? Are we at our address, ready to respond to the doorbell? We need to wait together, to keep each other at home spiritually, so that when the Word comes it can become flesh in us. That is why the Book of God is always in the midst of those who gather. We read the Word so that the Word can become flesh and have a whole new life in us.


~ An excerpt from Finding My Way Home, Henri J.M. Nouwen

One Prayer a Day for Advent -
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/Daily-prayers.html

GodSpace: Daily Bible Readings for Advent -

http://godspace.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/daily-bible-readings-for-advent/

GodSpace: The First Sunday of Advent -

http://godspace.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/the-first-sunday-of-advent/

Advent Meditation & Prayer Exercise from Arthur Stewart

For the First Sunday or Week of Advent:

http://www.stewart5.net/2009/11/advent-week-1-november-29

Prayer for Welcoming Advent

On Prayers & Creeds.....Click here.

gestures of gratitude

Today our WMF community will enjoy an American Thanksgiving here in Buenos Aires with turkey and all the traditional fixins'. We will throw in some good 'ol Argentina beef, so we don't forget where we are! (And because turkeys are too expensive to buy two.) The Forcattos will host a full house later today, nine adults and five kids. Off to play some Norteamericano futbol at the park in a little bit to get the day started.

Pulled out some of my favorite quotes on gratitude to get the day started. Happy Thanksgiving all!

“God is the giver. We are the thanks-givers…As gestures of gratitude unite us on a human level, they also unite us with the divine Giver. God offers gracious gifts, covenantal blessings, summarized in ‘You Belong.’ In response we say, ‘Thanks! I am grateful!’ We embrace God’s acceptance of us and in turn are embraced…Our social gestures of thanks, like a handshake or a letter, correspond to our religious gestures, like sacrifice, worship, obedience. Religious gestures are our way of saying to God, ‘Thank you for all the good things that come from you, the Source of all life.’”

“Gratitude as recognition, receptivity, and response is a basic attitude and action of the Christian life. We not only recognize and are aware of God’s gifts to us, but we also continually find ways of saying thanks to God in worship, prayer, and ‘whatever we say or do.’ Our aim is to live our whole life as a sacred gesture of thanksgiving, a deep bow of gratitude, solidifying our relationship with God.”

(Taken from Space for God by Don Postema)

the new year begins this sunday....

The church calendar year, that is.

Advent begins this Sunday, November 29. The beginning of Advent also begins a new year in the seasons and liturgies of the church calendar. This week I was introduced to the Story-Formed Calendar, which follows the rhythms of the church calendar seasons and provides themes and focus for each season. The calendar recognizes a cycle of listening, celebration, and work twice in the entire year. I look forward to keeping up with this Story-Formed blog this new church year. I have added it to my sidebar. I, particularly, like the focus identified for each season.

Advent…a season of expectation

Christmas...a season of celebration

Epiphany….a season of illumination

Lent….a season of listening

Holy Week…a time to remember

Easter…a season of “Halleluiahs”

and Ordinary Time becomes a time of Intentional Living

~in our churches

~in our families

~in love

~in justice and mercy

~in praise and gratitude

To learn more about the Story-Formed calendar, click here:
http://storyformed.wordpress.com/about-the-story-formed-calendar/

Thanksgiving Prayer

I still post a prayer every Friday on Prayers and Creeds. Thought I would share this Thanksgiving Prayer on my blog. The link to the entire liturgy is below.

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Gracious and generous God we give you thanks
For the gift of life for we are made in your image,
We think of all those in whom your divine image is still distorted
We pray for your mercy and love to rest upon them
God in your mercy be with them
Caring and providing God we give you thanks
For our homes that shelter and protect us,
We think of those without shelter and water and protection today
We pray for your provision to be poured out upon them
God in your mercy be with them
Abundant and giving God we give you thanks
For our food that nourishes and strengthens us,
We thing of those without food and nourishment today
We pray that you will feed them with the bread of life
God in your mercy be with them
Loving and compassionate God we give you thanks
For our friends and family who love and comfort us in times of need
We think of those who are alone and feel abandoned
God comfort and surround them that they may sense your presence
God in your mercy be with them

Gracious and generous God
We remember all the gifts you have given us,
We remember how lavishly you have provided,
We remember how lovingly you have cared,
We remember especially that greatest gift of all,
Jesus Christ our Saviour,
And we give you thanks.
Amen

Written by Christine Sine on GodSpace.
For entire Thanksgiving liturgy:
http://godspace.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/a-thanksgiving-prayer/

creating open space for advent....

I recently read the following description of a spiritual practice or discipline from Henri Nouwen, "the human effort to create open space to listen to the voice of the one who calls us the beloved." Very appropriate and timely as we enter the Advent season in just a week and a half.

Advent begins Sunday, November 29 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving). Sometimes I feel like I am rushing things reflecting on and discussing Advent before Thanksgiving. But, for me, I am finding it more and more necessary to consider how I will create open space sooner then later….before my December calendar completely fills up!

This will be my first Advent season and Christmas in Buenos Aires. I am thinking I will skip a tree this year….and just stick with my Advent wreath and the new nativity crèche I plan to buy here next week. I thought December outside the U.S. might prove more low-key and tranquilo! Opps! I am already finding it just as busy and full. Add the end of the school year and beginning of summer into the mix, and you get a U.S. June and December all rolled into one in the Southern Hemisphere. Making it even more essential to create that open space for Advent!

Below are some Advent links and resources I have discovered over the past few years. I’d love to hear any additional ways you are observing Advent this 2009!

Christine Sine’s Annual Advent meditation for 2009:

http://godspace.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/the-coming-of-the-lord-is-near-advent-meditation-video-2009/

GodSpace Blog:

This Advent Christine Sine will host a blog series, “What are we waiting for this Advent?” It will include blog posts and reflections from a variety of people. I plan to also contribute to this series. Stay tuned!

http://godspace.wordpress.com/

Songs for Advent:

My friend Ben Miller recently pointed me out to this digital download for Advent.

http://www.sojournmusic.com/2007/12/05/advent-songs-2007/

CRI/Voice - The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope:

www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

CRI/Voice - Daily Scripture Readings for Advent

(Book of Common Prayer – Year Two):

http://www.crivoice.org/advent2.html

Sacred Space Advent

(Includes Advent Retreat & Other Links):

http://www.sacredspace.ie/advent/