Category Archives: Advent/Christmas
Today you have appeared!
“Today you have appeared to the inhabited world, and your light, Lord, has been signed upon us, who, with knowledge, sing your praise, ‘You have come, you have appeared, the unapproachable Light.’” ~St. Romanos the Melodist
“Let us celebrate the festive day”
Awake, Mankind! For your sake God has become man. Awake, you who sleep, rise up from the dead, and Christ will enlighten you. I tell you again, God became man. You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh, had he not taken …
Empty enough
If you are feeling empty today, then you are ready for the Christ Child to enter in: “And yet a paradox is involved here: this greatness and depth of God can be perceived only by babes, the nêpioi or ‘infants’–those who have no words of their own–and not by those who are wise and possess …
Bleak winters.
“In the lives of those who believe and pray, there are bleak winters of the spirit. We seem to go along well for a while in prayer and relationships and life generally, but from time to time we disintegrate. It is very painful. You may suspect that this will prove to be a creative disintegration, …
For those who are grieving or suffering loss during Advent (repost)
Today’s post is a reflection on today’s first reading from the book of Judges. It is the story of Manoah and his wife who was barren. By the message of an angel and the grace of God, they became the parents of Samson. This story is obviously a foreshadowing of the Gospel story that follows …
No need to be afraid
“There is no need to be afraid; in five days our Lord will come to us.” (Antiphon, Morning Prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, December 21)
“When we give each other our Christmas presents”
“When we give each other our Christmas presents in his name, let us remember that he has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans and all that lives and moves upon them . . . And to save us from our own foolishness …
Advent Prayer (repost)
Advent Prayer Like foolish folk of old I would not be, Who had no room that night for Him and thee. See, Mother Mary, here within my heart I’ve made a little shrine for Him apart; Swept it of sin, and cleansed it with all care; Warmed it with love and scented it with prayer. …
Advent journey (repost)
This morning I was meditating on Joseph and Mary’s Advent journey to Bethlehem. So often, I think, we would like our own Advents to be peaceful and calm and balk interiorly–if not exteriorly as well–at inconveniences and grouchy children (and husbands), at interruptions and long lines, etc. And then there are those even more serious …
“Season of Stillness”
Season of Stillness by Catherine Doherty. My Russian shrine stands peaceful and quiet. Its roof is covered with snow. The Virgin of Kiev is reflected in the vigil light that always burns before her face. It looks especially beautiful in the dark of the winter nights. Squirrels and raccoons scamper around, leaving tracks on the …
