I led an advent retreat at Rolling Ridge this week and asked the participants why they were drawn to spending a day, mostly in quiet, at Rolling Ridge. One of the participants said she feels like God is trying to tell her, “don’t run over the manger.” We all laughed but understood what she meant.
I wrote a prayer for the day, inviting the gathered folks to take a deep breath and take the time to listen in this sacred time of year. Maybe a moment of peace will be yours as you pray this as well:
In this moment, in this carved out hallowed time:
Quiet us to hear where new life is struggling to be born.
Cause the angelic choruses and familiar carols to lift our hearts and renew our joy;
Slow our rush so we may hug those we care about;
Keep us disciplined in a time of excess;
Fill our hearts more than we fill our stockings;
May your light penetrate deeply to the wounds we carry and let some healing be born in us.
Open us to the miracle waiting to happen, even now, even now.
Amen.
Beautiful images–I will share it with my patients.