Sunrise Ignites Advent HOPE
"There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope."
- Bernard Williams
Sunrise Over Jerusalem
“ Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31:24 (ESV)
For hundreds of years, the peoples of Israel hoped for a coming Messiah who would make life better for them. His advent (coming) was prophesized hundreds of times in their Scriptures. Philip Brooks, in the Christmas hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem," captured the longing of the people in this line, "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."
Contemplative Prayer is one type of prayer in which the pray-er opens her or his mind and spirit to the presence of God. While words are highly important in our prayers, sometimes, it does one’s soul good to simply “BE” with God in silent meditation.
One spiritual practice used in contemplative prayer is Visio Divina, a Latin phrase meaning “divine seeing.” For some reason, I was slow to adopt this practice but increasingly have warmed up to its sacred value as part of my prayer regimen.
In Visio Divina, the Divine Spirit can be awakened in our soul as we gaze at a work of art or a picture, noticing prayerfully its many aspects. In your meditation, do you sense God is speaking or drawing your attention to a particular realization or calling?
On this first week of Advent the focus is on HOPE. I love sunrises. The sunrise ignites HOPE in my soul for the day ahead.
Would you like to practice Visio Divina? If so, this photo my husband took during our pilgrimage trip to Israel several years ago of the sun rising over the city of Jerusalem, may be a place to begin.
Advent Prayer
Lord, fill our hearts with HOPE during this blessed season of Advent. Help us to be strong and courageous as we wait for You! May we discover HOPE in each sunrise.
Amen
Advent blessings,
