Advent Greetings!

Last night we began the season of Advent at Dayspring as we celebrated Eucharist with Eric Oland, a Jesuit friend of L'Arche.  I also had a special guest from back home, Angus Johnston of Holy Family parish.

Our time of prayer brought us immediately into the spirit of Advent with the environment and especially the music which spoke of familiar Advent melodies.  There was a new spirit there in the sense of something different with how the chapel was prepared.  It was also a cooler night and something in the air spoke of the change in our church season.

There is a special packet prepared for the homes with prayers, visuals, candles and the like to help us pray in our homes.  It is really wonderful how the houses enter into this prayer.  It is also a wonderful way to introduce prayer to our young assistants who arrive here without a real sense of prayer or awareness of a relationship with God.

Advent gives a time in the midst of the busyness of the daily routines, to quiet oneself down. There is such a hubbub and a rush and the calming prayer of Advent here is just amazing.

Even though L'Arche is flooded with the Christmas spirit of Chritmas parties, the prayer of Advent forces a slow down and re-direction.  The house parties also give a sense of coming together and celebrating relationships that is so important here.  It is gospel bonding at it's best.

May your Advent be a time of growing in gospel awareness of God's presence.  Until next time.

Jeff