Advent. Adventus, Coming.
Sunday was the first day of the Christian commemoration of Advent. Welcome back and welcome if this is your first year to join me during this sacred time of year.
Advent is the four week period prior to Christmas when the Christian church corporately waits for the Second Coming of Jesus while remembering his birth which is celebrated on Christmas. For our purposes, "The Coming" recognizes the presence of the Spirit of Christ in our daily lives, seeking us like a lost child, longing to connect intimately, honestly and lovingly. You don't have to be a follower of Jesus to draw near to the Spirit.
The spirit of Jesus says "come" to each one of us regardless of our interest or awareness.
So,
Come.
Come one.
Come all.
Come just as you are.
Wishful. Do you still have wishes? Write them down. The simple act of writing down what you really want begins the process of bringing it to fruition. Resist, writing off wishes as you get older…the child within still wants to play. The Christ Spirit longs to give us the desires of our hearts.
Weary. The Christ Spirit says come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened. I usually begin each Advent Season feeling a bit weary after the rush of November celebrations in our family. Through the ritual of "The Coming" I purposefully stop myself, providing moments of rest, reflection and rejuvenation.
Wound-up. This certainly is the time of the year to feel wound-up so let's unwind together. What would it feel like to begin each day with a pause? To set clear intentions about the day's activities. Begin each day asking yourself what will deliver true joy and peace. The Christ Spirit asks us to cast our anxiety on him because he cares for us. Are you anxiety ridden? Release it to the Spirit by simply communicating what is in your heart with words spoken, written or sung, images created or imagined, thoughts or dance. You can communicate with the Spirit in any way that is authentically you.
Coming just as we are, we begin "The Coming" with the simple act of opening our hearts with unconditional love to ourselves and to the season of Advent. It is important to incorporate body, mind and spirit as we journey through "The Coming" and I'm deLighted to add rituals which are physical in nature this year.
The Open Heart Gesture represents unconditional love. It has an energizing and strengthening effect on you and anyone present in body or intentioned in spirit while you are doing it.
1. Inhale and exhale expanding your chest and sternum. Exhale and relax your chest and sternum and feel your upper back curving forward. Repeat this expanding and relaxing motion several times.
2. Stand or sit with your palms open wide to the side. I like to stretch my arms as wide as possible to the side.
3. Feel free to move any way you feel drawn to while holding palms open.
4. Breath in unconditional love and exhale unconditional love to others.
5. Continue until you feel the flow of unconditional love coming in and flowing out.
There is no limit to the amount of unconditional love each one of us needs on a daily basis!
Let's be abundant in the giving and receiving of unconditional love this season.
Caution: Begin with yourself first! Remember we must save ourselves before we attempt to help our neighbor.
I welcome your comments and prayer requests on the blog. How about you, got wishes for the season?
Prayer
Spirit, hi. Deep breath, Big smile! I'm here and ready to receive and give unconditional love during "The Coming."
