SIMPLE ADVENT THOUGHTS IN A COMPLEX WORLD

By Lori Carmody

Although I pray every day, more times than not, it is what I listen to and read that opens my eyes and softens my heart to understand where God is showing up in my life.  Is that true with you as well? Who knows?  Perhaps it’s the praying that allows us to be more open to God’s messages.

I want to share with you two reflections from the Center of Action and Contemplation.  Franciscan priest, Father Richard Rohr has been one of my “go-to’s” for years. In this short video, he invites us to see Jesus this Advent season less as a baby we are waiting to receive and more as Universal Christ who, along with Spirit. is revealed through our humanity.  It’s good to be human! The video from James Finley wonderfully leads us to remember how we need to move out of our complex world into simplicity.  His memory of when he was 3 years old is gift.  Enjoy!

 https://cac.org/faculty-advent-messages/

For those of you who live in the greater Seattle/Bellevue/Issaquah area, I want to let you know of an upcoming (free) concert.  ST Louise Catholic Church in Bellevue will be having the Maureen Still Band perform their O Come O Come Emmanuel concert on Friday, Dec. 15^th at 7PM.  Their music is wonderful and will be a great family event. 

Finally, another opportunity to grow in our faith is coming this spring.  Matthew Kelly, internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, and best known for helping people become “the best version of themselves” is coming to town.  Matthew’s topic “Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose” will be in two locations:  April 13^th at St. Louise in Bellevue and April 14^th at Holy Rosary in Edmonds.  Tickets will go quickly.
https://dynamiccatholic.com/passion-and-purpose-bellevue-wa-apr-13-2018

Mercies and blessings to you as our Advent continues.

Thanks for reading.

Lori 

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

By Lori Carmody

Most of us know the popular song “Do You Hear What I Hear?”  Just recently I discovered the history behind the writing of this 1962 hit song. 

Noel Regney had been commissioned to write a Christmas song in the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Folks were preoccupied with the threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was a tense time.

One day Noel happened upon two mothers walking their babies in strollers.  The two babies were smiling at one another.  Noel yearned for the peace he felt as he pondered the baby’s joy.  This was his inspiration to write the song we love.

Once again today, almost 60 years later, we are a nation preoccupied with the threat of nuclear war, this time with North Korea.  Might this song awaken in us our deep yearning for peace and remind us of the path to reach it?

..…Listen to what I say

Pray for peace, people everywhere.....

Advent begins this week.  Perhaps a daily prayer intention for peace between the United States and North Korea or, closer to home, in our own neighborhoods and/or families might be worth considering. 

…..the child, the child, sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light

He will bring us goodness and light.

Thanks for reading.

Happy Advent, my friends.

Lori

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Meu_uczBEqM