Recorded MP3 audio meditations: downloads and audio streams, written reflections and contemplative resources by Dorinda Miller

Written Reflections

Advent

The church year starts in November, with the season of Advent. It is a time of preparation as we wait for the King to come: remembering the historic anticipation of the birth of Jesus, and also acknowledging that the day will come when Jesus once again returns to earth.

Advent Advent – N

N for New

‘I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a new heart of flesh.’ (Ezekiel 36:26)

As we journey through Advent, looking forward with expectation to Christmas, there is an opportunity for us ‘to reflect on the reason for the season. Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for Christ, just as we prepare our homes for Christmas.’ (J.John, A Christmas Compendium, Philo Trust 2012, p.9.).

We looked at the desires of our hearts earlier in week; today our focus is on the state of our hearts and their need for renovation. There is no quick/easy/instant technique to achieve the renovation required. Rather it is through openness to God, in silence and solitude, in the midst of the busyness of our daily lives, that God works, as we journey through the challenges, the joys and sorrows that life brings us.

I would like to suggest that you take a piece of A4 paper and fold it in half widthways. Then draw a heart shape on each half of the page – just the shape no anatomical drawing skills needed! Write heart of stone under one shape and heart of flesh under the other. Then consider what areas of you heart are hard and stone like – and jot these down on the heart shape you have drawn. Then repeat the process with the other heart and consider which areas are soft and flesh like. When you have finished, spend some time meditating on the above verse from Ezekiel and listen to what the Lord wants to reveal to you through it.

Written by Dorinda Miller; © D Miller 2015. For full credits please see the site credits page

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Advent - T