Dec 22nd and two days until Christmas and in the midst of the hectic rush, tonight was powerful.  The day has been one of rain here in Richmond Hill, not really a true sign of winter, but it is what it is.  We are hectic in the preparations as core members prepare to go to families, assistants make plans for 8 days of Christmas rest or work at their various houses.  We are busy with rushing to dry cleaners, packing bags, preparaing medications, checking lists and making sure everything is done and packed.  Last minute crisis that needs to be tended to.  A supper on the fly as we prepare to make our way to Dayspring for our celebration.

Wendy presided Anglican Eucharist this night and the atmosphere was calm, reflective and pace slowing.  We were not into the Christmas songs, gift wrapping, but rather we transcended back into the Advent waiting.  It was into minor chords of music as we sang "O Come O come Emmanuel", "Wait for the Lord" and "O Come Divine Messiah"....oldies but goodies.  The call to prayer with silence and the ringing of the chapel bell called us inside ourselves.  Wendy's wonderful homily based on the gospel of John "I call you friends" gave us a priviledged glimpse into a personal letter written to her from Jean Vanier on the call to be holy and steeped in God's love.  It was a powerful letter and deeply intimate in God's love.  I closed my eyes and heard it being written to me.

The picture above is of our wondrous Tom Krysiak in the chapel gazing out the window of the chapel over the pond. He is very reflective and deeply prayerful and for me captured the spirit of last night.  It was a spirit of watching and waiting and reflecting.

I thought last night of my time here at L'Arche and the call of the Advent season and Jean's letter to Wendy.  It has been a time of being steeped in God's love, of discovering my own story, of reflecting on my life and the path before me.  It has been a time of richness, of awareness of God's love for me, of companionship with L'arche Daybreak and the wonderful people God has gifted me with.

And so I settle in and await the Christmas Eve celebration here and join in rejoicing how God has chosen to come into my story, hearing my pain, my questions and being present to help me grow. And the peace over me is wonderful and God gifted.  And like Mary's magnificat, my heart rejoices and gives thanks....Be blessed this Christmas and keep the prayers coming for me.

Jeff