Each year for the last two years I have invited readers to share a word that has chosen them for the year ahead.  Give Me a Word for 2012 will be posted on Wedneday, December 21st and I have lots of wonderful goodies in store for you including a free gift for everyone who participates and a drawing for several wonderful prizes on January 6th.  So make sure to come back to the Abbey blog to read more and share your own word with us then.  If you want a reminder, make sure to subscribe to the Abbey email newsletter.

November 27 – December 24, 2011 (a 4-week online class) Description I must be the Virgin and give birth to God. –Angelus Silesius (17th century German mystic) What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the Son of God fourteen hundred years ago and I do not also give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture? We are all meant to be Mothers of God. -Meister Eckhart (15th century German mystic) Each of us is called to participate in bringing God to birth in the world. We each hear our own

Announcing the winners of the random drawings for free signed copies of books by the guest teachers in the Advent online retreat: Becoming a *Monk in the World* with Paula Huston Jillian wins a signed copy of The Holy Way: Practices for a Simple Life Becoming a *Monk in the World* with Dana Reynolds Maureen at Writing Without Paper wins a signed copy of Our Turn Our Time: Women Truly Coming of Age Becoming a *Monk in the World* with Roy DeLeon Barbara Lindquist Miller wins a signed copy of Praying with the Body: Bringing the Psalms to Life. Becoming a