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Hope is our grounding in shadow. Peace runs deep; listening, connecting, flourishing. Joy comes to an open hand. Love inspires action, caring beyond self.  A blessing for heading into December and Advent
Blessed be the darkness, protecting, covering, comforting. Blessed be the early evenings, and long nights. Blessed be the moon and stars, and monochrome landscapes. Blessed be the deep stillness and inner quiet. Blessed be the hope held in the shadows, beneath the ground, and deep in the belly. - Wendy Janzen Fourth Sunday of Advent
Four flames, lights shining in the deepest, darkest time of the year, moving us closer to the arrival of the one for whom we’ve been waiting and watching. These lights shine sacred love, love which births everything into existence, love which begets wholeness love that stirs our hearts and shows us the path to deep love. - Wendy Janzen Third Sunday of Advent
Three candles, a trinity of light, a holy mystery, an interrelationship of revelations and incarnations. Flames dancing with joy and life, engaging and laughing like the one who loved children spoke in riddles welcomed all and brought healing to the brokenness of the world, and, celebrating the one who was and is always here, bigger than we ever imagined, holding both our fear and our joy. - Wendy Janzen Second Sunday of Advent
Two lit candles - a sacred conversation inviting us in and drawing us closer, reminding us of the dynamic relationship between earth and heaven, light and dark, body and soul. a conversation since The beginning of time, engaging all the world and pulling us into a peaceful embrace with the one who is the divine indwelling holding all things together. - Wendy Janzen Proclaiming Hope on the First Sunday of Advent
One flame shining in the night: comforting, preparing, watching for one who breaks into our darkness, illuminating the shadows, proclaiming hope for a new day. - Wendy Janzen December 20, Advent 4 - Sit with Us
Earth Maker, Light Keeper, Darkness Holder: We continue to move deeper into this season of waiting and watching, deeper into the darkness to the brink of the longest night. We are learning anew what it means to wait - to see or hug a loved one, to get through quarantine, to take off our mask, to get test results, to be done with this pandemic... Sometimes there’s not much more we can do than befriend darkness even as we wait for the light. Let the season of winter instruct us in the art of stillness and waiting. Sit with us in our waiting and surround us with love - love that casts out fear and holds us close and assures us that our waiting is not in vain. Amen. -Wendy Janzen December 13, Advent 3 - Restore Us
Light of Life, We light candles this season, not simply out of tradition or coziness, though there’s that, but because we believe in the Light that shines in the darkness, restoring all that is lost and broken, relegated to shadow, forgotten, or desecrated. Restore us to wholeness - to our state of original blessing, to be bearers of your light and goodness. Restore Earth to wholeness - to Her state of blessedness and sacredness, vital, fruitful, balanced. Restore the threads of the web of Life - once strong but now frayed from lack of attention and care, consumerism, and poor theology. Restore our joy in life - bring laughter to our lips, beauty to our eyes, and deeper bonds to our relationships. We pray as those who sense your presence among us in light and dark, now and always. Amen - Wendy Janzen December 6, Advent 2 – Be our Peace
Peace of the Earth: We have been on a tumultuous ride These past months, and we are Frazzled, worn out, and tired. Open our hearts to notice Peace around us - in Softly falling snow, Starry nights, Candle light, Still water. Be our peace, Our comforter, Our solid ground As we breathe deeply And remember to carry Your peace within our being On the path toward Christmas. Bring peace here and everywhere. Amen. - Wendy Janzen Advent 1 – I am ready
Light of the world: As my little spot on this earth tilts away from the warming sun, as days continue to shorten while shadows lengthen, and cold winds turn rain to snow, I am ready. I am ready for this season of waiting, anticipation, hope, slowing down, and embracing darkness even while yearning for light. I am ready to light a candle in the night, a bold prayer and declaration that I am ready to receive the gifts of incarnation: God among us, here, now. Amen - Wendy Janzen |
AuthorReflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted. Archives
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