O Infinite Star Giver
I now ask for wisdom and courage
to follow these stars
for their names are many
and my heart is fearful.

They shine on me wherever I go:
The Star of Hope
The Star of Mercy and Compassion
The Star of Justice and Peace
The Star of Tenderness and Love
The Star of Suffering
The Star of Joy
And every time I feel the shine

I am called
to follow it
to sing it
to live it …

— Macrina Wiederkehr from A Grateful Heart

Life is a constant Advent experience: the world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be; we are constantly waiting to become, to discover, to understand, to change, to complete, to fulfil. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfilment are all part of life’s Advent. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us – as one of us – gives us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we care never alone or abandoned by our merciful Father in heaven. We are not a Christmas people but an Advent people living our lives in patient faith and joyful hope for the Lord’s coming in our lifetimes. The season of Advent confronts us with both the preciousness and precariousness of life, the inevitable – yet still always difficult – changes that we must contend with in the course of the time we are given.
— Jay Cormier from Seed Sown

Seeking the Light – A Christmas Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
— attributed to Henri J.M. Nouwen