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Monday, November 29, 2010

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

These first days of Advent I have been listening to various versions of the oldest Advent hymn, "O Come O Come Emmanuel." I recently discovered that while the English version we are familiar with dates back to the mid-19th century, the original Latin version dates back to the 12th-century. It is also believed that the original text traces even further back to the 8th-century "O Antiphons," which were short statements sung or chanted at the beginning of the Psalm or during Vespers. Each of the Antiphons greets the Savior with one of the various titles He is referred in the Scriptures, names such as "Emmanuel," "Lord of Might," "Key of David," and "Rod of Jesse." These "O Antiphons" are still sung or recited during the last seven days of Advent in some liturgical traditions.

This version of the hymn is one I have especially enjoyed these past few days. It is on the "Advent Songs" CD by Sojourn Music.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

December Prayer Letter & Prayer Requests

My December prayer letter is now posted on the Word Made Flesh website, as well as December prayer requests from our WMF Argentina community. To read them, click on the links below...



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Favorite Advent Prayers

Advent and new church liturgical year begins Sunday! Happy New Year!

This morning I posted an Advent prayer for the first week of Advent on the Prayers & Creeds blog. It is taken from Chistine Sine’s 2010 Advent Meditation video, “Christ Is Coming.”

Here’s the link to the prayer:

I have now posted weekly prayers on the Prayers & Creeds blog for two years. During these two years I have posted several Advent prayers. Here are some of my favorites...just click on the prayer.








Five Years of Blogging!

This week marks five years since my first blog post. It also marks the beginning of a journey unaware of where it would lead. The name of my blog, “The road goes ever on and on,” was taken from a Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s’ Fellowship of the Ring. The quote was very appropriate as I was entering a season of Sabbatical, exploration and discernment.

I initiated my first blog post on November 25, 2005 with the following….

"The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow it if I can. Pursuing it with eager feet, until it joins the larger way. Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say?
"
~ Bilbo Baggins in the Fellowship of the Ring



The Lord of the Rings begins with Bilbo Baggins leaving the home at the Shire for an unknown destination. He did not know what was ahead on the road but he headed off with eager feet. He knew the road was far ahead, yet he was off to follow it as best he could. 



Bilbo’s song resonates with me. I feel a bit like Bilbo not knowing what is ahead. This blog is my attempt to share my path on the road with all of you. It is good for our paths on the road to meet.

Yep, that pretty much summed up what I was feeling five years ago! I get a little sentimental reading that first post. I am reminded of so many of the hopes, emotions, feelings and unknowns at that time. Soon after my first blog post, I began a couple years of travelling, exploring, and discerning where God would lead. My blog address, “wheresdavebayne,” was a frequent question asked by many for over two years. Then in March 2008, I followed and pursued the road to Argentina, where I now live and serve alongside the Word Made Flesh community in Buenos Aires. After 2 ½ years, I’m still here, striving to put down deeper roots of stability and to love my neighborhood!

Five years and 358 posts later, I am so grateful for this blog space to reflect and share my journey. Thank you to the many who have dropped by every now and then, even after many long periods of being missing in action. These past five years have been significant and transformative for me. This blog has been a meaningful and important space to journal and share snap shots of my journey.

While my feet have landed here in Buenos Aires, my journey and my blog will continue ever on and on! While the “wheresdavebayne” part may not be as relevant today, the blog remains a space to share my journey and intersect with yours. Drop by any time! I am grateful!

Photo taken from: www.ForestFoliage.com

Friday, November 19, 2010

Jacarandas in Buenos Aires

I have been paying attention to trees this springtime in Buenos Aires. But, I'll have more on that later in an upcoming Advent reflection. Just today I was noticing a few Jacaranda trees in bloom in my neighborhood. Here is a link to some great photos of springtime Jacarandas in the Buenos Aires right now.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Advent 2010 ~ Getting Ready!

I know, I know…I can hear some of you now, “Advent?? It’s not even Thanksgiving!”

Well, the first Sunday of Advent is Thanksgiving weekend…just two weeks away. So, as you all are making preparations for Turkey Day, it might also be time to begin preparing for Advent. As in rhythm of life, Sabbath, and retreats, I find it valuable to get ready and make space for Advent ahead of time. Especially in what can be a super hectic time of year, I desire to make space to listen, space to be still, and space to be nourished in this season of Advent.

This past week I started considering what Advent might look like for me this year, as well as our community. I am also contributing a few Advent reflections to some blogs with early deadlines, which has also nudged my need to get ready.

So, I will kick things off with sharing my annual list of Advent resources and links. Wow, this list gets longer every year. Please share any additional Advent resources or ideas that have been helpful to you in comments to this blog post!

CRI/Voice - The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope
This is a helpful introduction and summary of Advent.

Mustard Seed Associates Advent Resource

Christine Sine’s Annual Advent meditation video for 2010
Christ Is Coming

GodSpace Blog
This Advent Christine Sine will host a blog series, “Jesus is Near – How do We Draw Close?” It will include blog posts and reflections from a variety of contributors.

Songs for Advent
Last year I discovered this Advent worship digital download. It has quickly become a favorite! http://www.sojournmusic.com/2007/12/05/advent-songs-2007/

Book of Common Prayer
Daily Scripture Readings for Advent (Year One)

Revised Common Lectionary
Sunday Scripture Readings for Advent (Year A)

Ignatian Spirituality Advent Resources

Sacred Space Advent
Includes Advent Retreat & Other Links

Praying Advent
Creighton University’s Online Ministries offers a selection of materials to help people prayerfully enter into Advent, from short prayers to longer reflections and retreats.

Modern Sacred Family Advent Resources
This website offers resources and suggestions for observing Advent with kids.

Advent Collects for Southern Hemisphere

Word Made Flesh Advent Reflections
Last but not least! This year WMF will post daily Advent reflections from staff and friends of the community. Check it out beginning Sunday, November 28!

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Reflecting on Ignatian Spirituality

The practices and posture of Ignatian spirituality continue to impact and shape my life and formation. I have recently reflected on themes of Ignatian spirituality in two recent articles. One was published in the most recent issue of WMF’s advocacy publication, The Cry. The second reflection is my first post on This Ignatian Life, a blog dedicated to exploring how to live Ignatian spirituality. I will join other bloggers and contribute to TIL blog every six weeks.

“Attentive to brokenness”
The Cry, Fall 2010
http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/the-cry/attentive-to-brokenness/

“Hopeful”
This Ignatian Life, October 24, 2010
http://ignatianlife.org/hopeful/

"Roots of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love"
This Ignatian Life, December 5, 2010

If you are interested in learning more about the practice of Examen, I have some resources I can pass your way. Just shoot me an email or comment here.