- 05
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
December 5, 2023
The Third Day of Advent
Here we are, just in the third day of Advent, and I already feel the comfort of the sanctuary it has now become. Yesterday afternoon I headed out to Trader Joe’s to get all the ingredients for homemade vegetable soup. With the temperatures dipping it seemed more than appropriate, for me, it was necessary. What I encountered, in my quest, was a sea of smiling faces. The pace has quickened, yes; but still fluid, no pushing, no sour fixed expressions. I spent some time talking with the lady checking me out and found it more than a pleasant exchange. It was fun. Sometimes, especially this time of year, I must admit, I tend to focus on the errand, the task at hand, avoiding, when possible, conversing with others, along the way. This year it is different! It was easy, nice in fact, to stop and talk for a while. When I returned home, and put the soup on to simmer, I found myself slipping down the stairs to my quarters, in my son’s home. And there it was. The Advent wreath sat on the coffee table, the atmosphere was still, quiet, yet welcoming in so many inexplicable ways. The energy of Advent embraced me. It lives, and so do I.
On this third day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 7:13-14.
The Reading
December 5, 2023
“Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel’.” Isaiah 7:13-14
- 05
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
When your heart hosts a song of sadness, do not try to push it down, nor set it aside. Be still and quiet and sit with what is happening, within you. Sit with Me and we will follow the corridors of your inner being, traversing hallways and pathways until we see exactly what is tempting thee to remorse and tears. Together we will pull the threads, gathering them together, forming a patchwork quilt. The project will reveal each piece of hurt, rejection, loneliness, possibly even pride will be one of the squares inside the framework of our work, together. Once you see, you will know. I will whisper and touch each square, acknowledging the lessons there. As we work, the quilt will fade, piece by piece disappearing, leaving only treasured lessons and My peace, with us. Do not wait, come to Me.
And The Holy Spirit says:
If you remember that you are not created for sadness, then you will recognize when the energy is slipping into your being. Seek silent stillness with Me and we will both see, and know, bless, and release, and rise to a new day, free from guilt and shame, freed from sadness, soaring into the light of a new day. Come, and soar, with Me.
- 04
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
December 4, 2023
The Second Day of Advent
It never ceases to amaze me, it happens every Advent. There is a quiet, which settles into my heart as the wreath is prepared, the candles arranged, and everything is set in place. And on the first Sunday, when the first candle is lit, the quiet grows, and delicate notes float as snowflakes, on the breath of winter. When the ceremony is complete, and the candle is extinguished, peace flows over the room and in my heart. You can feel it. It is stirring, hearkening to a higher power, a presence which can lift you up to a majestic place of being, in this simple act. It is as if the modest ceremony, in candlelight, opens memories of Advents of yesteryear. When the program is kept simple and easy, children of all ages are eager, each day or night, to light the candles and sing the songs, creating memories along The Way. Even in the youngest of hearts there rests a song of peace, as if the knowing is already there, waiting to be touched and embraced.
On this second day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 6:8.
The Reading
December 3, 2023
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
- 04
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
When you are tempted to think ill of others, squelch the notion before it becomes the bud, which flowers, in your thoughts. Be still and quiet, prayerful in your way of starting each day. By sitting with Me such thoughts will melt away, becoming prayers of support for the light to surround that person in a very special way. For, all My children are worthy of consideration, and stillness of spirit. Rather than to curse, bless all you know. Sharing light in the darkest of places, until the light I give unto you glows, bringing illumination to shadows and doubt.
And The Holy Spirit says:
Do not curse, that which you do not understand. For, you cannot know what has invaded another, bringing them to where they presently stand. Let My love flow, within thee, and from thee, bringing light and life to a once shadowland. Be My Light. As I lead you, follow. As I whisper words of wisdom to thee, speak them to others. As I share with thee, share with others. Do not defame, for in The Holy Name of God there is no shame, only love. Love.
- 03
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Season of Advent always held special meaning for Michael and me, and even though Michael is no longer physically present, the practice of Advent lives on in my personal life.
Immediately after Thanksgiving the air is charged with an element of busyness. Everyone seems preoccupied, making lists, planning, purchasing, doing. And it seems this busyness takes on a life of its own, leaving quiet and stillness behind. The personal practice of The Season of Advent brought calm to each day, no matter what was on the agenda. The time set aside for the ceremony became a sanctuary of peace and helped keep our focus on the real meaning of Advent. It still brings me to peace to this day.
I pray it will do the same for each of you, as we experience Advent together. By this time, you have made your Advent wreath, and planned a simple ceremony. So, each day I will share my reading with you, and encourage you to follow suit and find a reading that is best suited to you.
On this first Sunday of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 2:4-5.
The Reading
December 3, 2023
“… They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!” Isaiah 2:4-5
- 03
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
Let us look, intently, to the beauty within you. You are not merely the physical form you see in the mirror, or glance in a window, as you walk by. You are of My Spirit. You come from Me. Right now, I love you so much, and reach for you so often, because you are of My Spirit, incarnate. You are walking Earth as spirit, in physical form. The issues which arise challenging you, as a human being, cannot take you down, not the real you. So, from this day forward, look at each challenge, knowing you have the spiritual gifts to meet it, and rise up, better for the meeting. Use your spiritual gifts to face each encounter with the confidence to know, if it has come to you, it is yours to do, and that you carry the gifts, within you, to do all you are meant to do, and move forward. I love you.
And The Holy Spirit says:
It can be tempting to raise your hands in submission to the trial, stating, “I cannot do this.” Yet, the truth is that whatever comes to you, you can do, because you carry all the answers, within you. I was sent to you to make it so, to teach, comfort, guide, and lead you through all things of the world created by man, so you can rise above each issue by using the gifts given unto you by The Hand of God.
- 02
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
The Light of The Dove
Words to Accompany Song
Come I bring bread.
Come I bring wine.
Come sit and be fed, at the table divine, of the Lord.
We come bearing The Light of The Dove,
And as we come, we show The Way.
We come bearing The Light of The Dove,
Singing we wait for Christmas Day.
And the song that we sing will be faith,
It will be hope, it will be love,
And our path will be radiant light,
Flyng ahead will be The Dove.
Come I bring bread.
Come I bring wine.
Come sit and be fed, at the table divine, of the Lord.