Online Retreat for  Advent 2007

Introduction

 Daylight grows shorter and darkness lengthens as we approach the Winter Solstice. Then
 the light of the sun seems to grow stronger and the darkness slowly recedes.
 The rhythms  of  nature deeply influence the rhythms of our lives.

 For Christians, this season of growing darkness is called Advent. It is a time of approximately 
 four weeks in preparation for the birth of Christ at Christmas. This time includes the solstice and begins the cycle
 of light over darkness. This year, Advent begins on December 2 and ends on Christmas Eve.

Advent is  the season which opens the liturgical year and keeps alive the desire for the coming of Christ and the
fulfillment of his mission.  Advent is a time of hope. The scriptural readings for the season resound with prophetic voices
announcing that the Lord is near. 

We invite you to join us for an On-line Retreat during this special season. 

To enter fully into this retreat, we suggest that you commit
 yourself to an attitude of:
Stillness
Silence
Reflection
Prayer
as you go through your day.

You are invited to set a specific time each day of approximately
one half hour for this prayer, silence and reflection.

We also suggest that you create a sacred space where you can
focus yourself during your prayer time.  Depending on your personal preferences, it may include a quiet area in your home,
a candle or advent wreath, a walk in nature, listening to music or
journaling.

On each Sunday of Advent, the retreat offers a theme to set the focus for your
 reflective prayer.  An  introductory Reflection on that theme is also provided .

 Each weekday, there are readings to help you reflect 
more deeply on the theme of the week.  

Thus, the retreat includes:

 A reflective meditation which develops the weekly theme.
 A daily topic flowing from the week's reflective meditation.
                                        Selected readings on the topic.
                                                   

First Week of Advent                           The Light shone in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

Second Week of Advent                     Prepare the way of the Lord.

Third Week of Advent                         He shall be called Prince of Peace.

Fourth Week of Advent                      And he shall be called Emmanuel, God with us.

Christmas