Blessings

“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – from Luke 1:78,79 


As we draw closer to Christmas, take time to remember that for some this can be a very difficult time.  
For those that have lost loved ones this year, and face a first Christmas without that special someone.
For those for whom Christmas brings back painful memories of broken dreams and relationships.
For those that are alone.

As you take a moment to read this Second Night Prayer of Zechariah. name aloud after each phrase someone you know who might fit the need:
​
Blessed be the One who continues to be with us. 
Hear our night prayer. 
In the tender compassion of our God 
We are in need of healing
... Draw near. with all who suffer 
… with the broken hearted 
… with the dying ones 
... with those who mourn
 … with divided communities and nations 
… with Earth crying out
In the tender compassion of our God, we pray and trust our prayers will know action though we do not know when, or how healing may come. 
Amen.  

​Blessings,

Mary's night prayer
You have probably heard the Catholic rosary prayer:  “Hail, Mary, full of grace.”  but what if Mary's response to this angelic proclamation was more along the lines of :
"What? Why me? Things were going along so well for the first time in my life. And now, O Great Disturber, this. This! What am I to make of it, This call?"

Reflection
14th century Christian mystic says these words:
“We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture? Then, then, is the fullness of time: When the Son of God is begotten in us.” 

Take time today to reflect on how you give birth to God?  
How is God begotten in you? 

Peace,
Rev. Gail 

An online resource from the PrayerBench.ca, adapted and used with permission

Blessings,
Take a moment to read this scripture from Proverbs 8:22, 23, 31
  “Yahweh created me [Wisdom] when God's purpose first unfolded, before the oldest of God's work. From everlasting I was firmly set, from the beginning, before earth came into being ... I was by God's side, a master crafter, delighting God day by day, ever at play in God's presence, at play everywhere in the world." 

The women in the Advent study group are thinking about memories of childhood games - games, activities etc. 
Some of you have perhaps been baking this Advent - maybe you have memories of baking from a child.
I share with you this night prayer from the Gingerbread Person which gives a new twist to Joy.

Prayer
O God of ginger and spice, Sweet is the joy in your call to play. 
Let us remember the sounds, the tastes, the sights of Christmas past. 

(Take a moment to recall. the memories, the tastes and the smells of Christmas past) 

Where I need comfort this Advent, waft your grace around me like a sweet-smelling kitchen. 
When I hear “Christmas is for children” help me remember you, ever at play 
And let me reach deep for curiosity and delight. 
And once more, just for old times’ sake, 
Set me out as a love snack in the world 
To bring delight to those in need of joy. Amen. 
​  
Peace,
Rev. Gail

​An online resource from the PrayerBench.ca, adapted and used with permission

Blessings,
If you were at our Celebration of Christmas last night, perhaps you were touched by the music, by the words of a song, or maybe by one of the stories shared.
So today, instead of offering you a reading, I am suggesting that you take time in a spiritual practice.
This is an opportunity for us all to be touched by the music of Christmas.
Enjoy.

Peace,
Rev. Gail

  Praying with Music
1. Choose a piece of Christmas music (or any music) that you want to “be with” for the next 15-20 minutes. 
2. Relax as you listen to it for the first time. 
Allow yourself to be drawn into the music as a whole, as though it were being performed just for your ears. 
3. Spend an equal amount of time in silence before playing it again. 
4. Play the piece a second time. 
This time let yourself go until you feel yourself merging with the music, until you feel that you are being played as an instrument too. 
Let the music give you permission to fall into “the lap of God,” the source of the original sound. 
5. Again, spend an equal amount of time in silence. 
6. Finally write down or doodle any special feelings (positive or negative) or insights that were gained through the sound or the silence. 
7.  Give thanks to God for this time of devotion with an Amen.

(Excerpt from: Spirit Windows, A Handbook of Spiritual Growth Resources by Ann Kulp.)  

An online resource from the PrayerBench.ca, adapted and used with permission

Blessings All,
Today I share a short monologue from Zecheriah. 
It is a reminder that sometimes we need to stop short in what we are so busy doing at this time of year, and just be still with God.
I invite you to settle into a place of silence.
Take a few deep breaths, then read aloud this 'story.'.
Perhaps repeat it twice.
Afterwards, take a moment to stop and ask yourself, what do you need to stop doing in order to listen?
How can you Be Still .....

  First Night Prayer of Zechariah
“Once when Zechariah was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense.” – Luke 1: 8,9 

“Now, where was I?  ..... This is what I have left to do.” 
  (Zechariah lists off the regular chores of the day. You can too.) 
“And there are the special duties that must be done in times of festival.” 
   (As Zechariah recalls these, he notices on his smartwatch that his heart rate        increases.)  
“A little peace and quiet, God, wouldn’t hurt but who gets that in times like this?” 
“Now what?” 
(Zechariah notices the smoke of the incense rising. It’s mesmerizing and Zechariah is obliged to watch. It is strangely compelling.) 
“Oh no!” 
(Zechariah sees it is time to offer the customary blessing.) 
“I opened my mouth and no words poured forth.” 

Be still and know that I am God. 
Be still and know. 
Be still  
​
Peace, 
Rev. Gail

Blessings All,
I invite you to settle into a place of silence.
Take a few deep breaths, then read aloud this prayer.
Perhaps repeat it twice.
Afterwards, take some time in the Spiritual practice to deepen your awareness of the Divine this Advent.
Peace.  Rev. Gail

Night Prayer of a Favourite Ornament
Passed 
down 
from generation 
to generation 
treasured, etched, fragile 
the last to be packed away, 
the first to be set free. 

Unwrap me gently, 
Place me on the tree of life. 
No need to be front and center, 
content to be one among many, 
I am gift of memory and love. 
Grateful for life, 
may I be. 
Amen.  

Take a moment to recall a favourite Christmas ornament that has a story in your life. Hold it in your hands if you can.

Sit with the memory for a while.
Reflect on how God was present in the story.
Give thanks for the memory that it holds.