This
year during Advent we are going to post a short advent poem on Zion’s Facebook
page. These poems are written by Amy Scott Robinson and published by Engage
worship. Here is perhaps my favourite:
Advent:
The conductor raises his baton,
the choir takes a collective breath.
Perhaps
I like it, because it is so far from my reality. My own version might read
something like this:
Advent:
The
clock ticks into December and the minister tumbles down the stairs in surprise
and horror!
December
always seems to come as a shock to me. Those of you who know me are aware that preparation
and organisation are not my strongest suits. I am the original last
minute.com. However Advent helps, it
reminds us to get ready for something special. (I’ve been helped in recent
years by the discovery of ‘Celtic Advent’ a full 40 days beginning on the 16th
Nov.)
Getting ready is a really
important discipline. It’s something we should really practice every day. Just
as we prepare to celebrate the coming of God in Jesus at Christmas, we ought
really to prepare to encounter God in our daily lives. The first snowflake, the
smile of a stranger, the smell of sweet wet grass, a spiders web glistening in
the sunlight, all of these and so much more besides could, if we were more
prepared, act as windows to help us encounter God’s love. The fact that we
often miss them is because we have forgotten to anticipate, we do not see
because our hearts are dulled and we do not expect to see.
What
will help us is the reminder that there is a conductor who longs for us to be a
part of his choir. Each day he raises his baton hoping that our eyes will turn
to him. When we do notice him we take a breath, still our hearts, and prepare
ourselves to overflow with his love. We become, if you like, similar to the
spiders web, a thing of beauty out of which the glory and goodness of God may
shine.
This is advent, the reminder to
watch for the conductor, and whenever we see him to take a breath ready to
overflow. (Elsewhere in the magazine I have included a piece from our URC Synod
Moderator, Ruth Whitehead, which she shared recently at a Synod meeting. In it
she shares a little of a simple technique of ABCDE which she uses to raise her
expectations of meeting with God.)
Finally may I take this chance to
say thank you to P-j, for all his wonderful work, love and support. For me he
has been one like the smell of sweet wet grass, who so often has reminded me of
the goodness and love of God. I pray God will continue to bless him. May I also
wish you and all those whom you love a peaceful and happy Christmas
Stephen Newell
A way to pray each day: by Ruth
Whitehead, URC SW Synod Moderator (Stephen’s boss!!)
You will find many variants on the “Examen”
of St Ignatius, and some people like to end the day with this – I prefer to do
this in the morning as I stay awake better!
At Synod recently I spoke about a method that
uses the letters of the alphabet for the 5 stages:
A… Become aware of the presence of God.
B…Look back on the day with gratitude
C…Pay close attention to your emotions
D… Choose one aspect of the day and pray from
that
E… Look forward to tomorrow with expectation
that God will be with you.
You can do the Examen in just a few moments,
or spend longer on it, and I would just remind you that the prayer at point D
can be asking for help for yourself, for the world, for others; asking
forgiveness; or simply giving thanks, whatever seems right that day…..
