Preparing Our Hearts for Advent

Every year around this time, I slow down, create space, quiet my heart, and find rest. My Soul is ready to once again enter into the season of Advent—the season of prayer and purification, waiting and watching for the Arrival of Christ.

Advent is the perfect liturgical season for my longing. I wait for Christ's Light and warmth to illuminate the world'sdarkness, which can weigh so heavily on my heart. Just as the dawn comes after the long, dark hours of night, Christ brings Light and love to dwell among us.

We live in biblical times, and it would be wise to contemplate this. Advent speaks of the Arrival of Jesus Christ as a child entering this world. It also refers to Christ, the Second Coming - something that now seems timely and accurate.

During Advent, we will be lighting a candle every day, and on each Sunday, the colour of the candle will change to respectively symbolise hope, peace, joy, and love.

Our twenty-two days together will consist of a daily hour-long Live and Recorded gathering where we will practise The Daily Examen - a prayerful reflection technique on the day's events to detect God's presence and discern its direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice that can help us see God's hand at work in our whole experience.

Let us gently gather together to use these days to distil, reflect, and become transparent and faithful to the Arrival of that which is coming.