Finding Christmas December 10 & 11 - 12 & 13

William Kurelek - Northern Nativety

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be 
through him,
but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 

 Jo 1:9-11



Many are are familiar with the work of Canadian author and artist, William Kurelek, especially his work entitled, Northern Nativity. In it he depicts Jesus birth taking place in this age, in a variety of different places and settings. However, each suggests that people do not recognize the profound mystery taking place in their midst. It fits well with these verses we are now reflecting upon.

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

• Jesus "coming into the world", is an ongoing reality - it happens every day, people grasping the truth of the Jesus and the gospel, welcoming Him into their lives for the first time.

• What of those of long standing religious attachment, who's faith has suffered much harassment over time, leaving it in the taters of doubt? These are they who need a "New Coming" of Christ, a new and personal encounter with the Grace of Renewal.

• These Advent days are meant for you, personally. What part of your life, your heart of faith, your daily life has lost sight of Jesus? In what ways do these scripture text apply to you?

PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF A NEW COMING OF THE LIGHT:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

A VISUAL MEDITATION 

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Finding Christmas December 8 & 9

He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light. Jo 1:8

"It does not matter what you believe as long as you are a good person." If this is true then why evangelize? But the Church is calling all its faithful to do just that, to evangelize. For insight into this, reflect carefully on this passage from Mark's gospel.

Mark 10:
17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’”
20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

SOME POINTS FOR REFLECTION

• vs 17 - we are created for a purpose, eternal life
• vs 18 - "goodness" is not something subjective
• vs 19 - to behave opposite to these cannot make you a good person
• vs 20 - the commandments are meant for all - where we start - there is more
• vs 21 - because we are loved we have a higher calling
• vs 22 - popular philosophy - more is better
• vs 23 - wealth needs one's full attention
• vs 24 - to be good needs one's full attention
• vs 25 - there is more to life - what must I let go of - am I willing
• vs 26 - if the world got it wrong who will teach me
• vs 27 - and so we look for those who know ... to testify to the light.

OTHER ADVENT RESOURCES 

Check out WORD AMONG US for more excellent resources for Advent - LINK

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The plan set out for this Advent Series - LINK

Finding Christmas December 6 & 7

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him. Jo 1:6-7







Coloured lights and giant inflated Santas on the front lawn are common sights now, part of the cultural-Christmas scene. What a contrast, Santa and John the Baptist - "... a voice in the wilderness cries out, 'prepare the way of the Lord'." The wilderness, a scary place, alone, vulnerable, stripped of all protection; such a contrast to the comfortable and secure places we choose to dwell in.

Advent is meant to make us feel uncomfortable, not about all the fuss we face getting ready for Christmas. Advent wants us to enter the wilderness of our own hearts, to hear the voice of prophecy show us our true condition - how much we may have become disconnected in our faith from its true purpose - how much we need to find our connection again with the Christ of Christmas.

The website for Ignatian Spirituality offers instruction on practice of Daily Examine - LINK

Fr. Robert Barron homily for Advent - LINK

Finding Christmas December 4 & 5

What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the 

human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
 Jo 1:4-5

MEDITATION

Three key words [ Life <> Light <> Darkness ]

Is there life other than on this planet is one of science's intriguing questions. The Life that this passage refers to begins in baptism. Not only do we have life in our bodies, a life we have in common with all living things, but we are given a different life in baptism, not controlled by the laws of nature. Now most natural life needs light to live and grow. In darkness such life waists away and dies. The Life we are given in baptism also needs light to live. 

This Light comes by way of faith. Faith is that dynamic process of placing ourselves in the Light, similar to one placing a plant in the window so that it has light to grow. 

• How is the Life you received in baptism doing?
• Are you giving it enough Light?
• Do you daily place it in the window of faith that looks out into the spiritual, letting in the Light of Life?
• Advent begins a new year in the Church, a good Time for new resolutions.

Fr Robert Barron, article, Why Faith Is Indeed Light = LINK

NOTES ON PRAYER TIME FOR ADVENT

Set as your goal to discover a new, deeper, more personal encounter with the Christ of Christmas.

As best you can, set aside a time and place for meditation.

For a review of the goal set for these Advent posts go to Finding Christmas LINK

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Tools to help you: Your Bible <> missal with the Advent Mass readings <> notebook to record new insights <> internet to connect to VOICES and its suggested links <> other persons to share your insights with <> Advent worship opportunities <> determination to persevere.

Start your day by reading the current text assigned for the two days. Memorize it and keep bringing it to mind throughout the day. Remember, you are seeking something new.

Ask for grace, ask the Spirit to lead you, guide you, inspire you, take you by the hand to lead to new and wondrous things

Remember, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you!