Stop what you're doing! It's time to reflect. Here's an introduction to a daily series of Advent Reflections from Rev Susi Kawolics:
"Advent is a season that seems to get lost in our culture. Because we so often think of the month of December as 'the Christmas season' and use this time to busily prepare our homes for the holidays, we often neglect to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. My hope is that these reflections will provide a way of making your Advent journey more meaningful.
"One way to prepare our hearts and more fully experience Jesus’ coming is through deepening and growing in our relationship with God. Because God is so much greater than our minds can even begin to comprehend, we can only know God through glimpses, through reflections. That is what these are: reflections. My hope is that they will provide a means of knowing God deeper and that by exploring various images of God, God will become more real to you.
"The idea of using images of God came to me while reading about the "O Antiphons". These are different names and images for God, traditionally used during the last week of Advent, December 17th through 23rd. They have been part of the Christian tradition since the 7th or 8th century, and are proclaimed in the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel". I have included them on their traditional days. The other images used are my creations inspired by scripture.
"I have chosen the Bible verses based on the weekly Revised Common Lectionary readings for Advent and Christmas. The reflections for the Sunday readings begin on the Monday before so that you will have the opportunity to reflect on these Bible verses before hand. There is also a prayer to guide each day. By using the first-person plural we, I imagine the community of people using this resource to be united in prayer.
"I would welcome any of your thoughts, comments, suggestions or reflections as you journey through this Advent season. Please feel free to leave and view comments.
"As you take time with these reflections during the season of Advent, may they deepen your relationship with God so that you may more fully experience the celebration of the coming of Christ. Yours in Christ, Susi Kawolics"
