Every year for the first Sunday of Advent we read a version of Jesus’ description of the end of days.  In the Gospel reading from St. Luke this week, Jesus’ language is filled with apocalyptic images of fear and trembling and signs “in the sun, the moon, and the stars.”   The word apocalypse essentially means revelation and is from the Greek for “uncovering what has been hidden.” In other words, apocalypse is about the revelation of a new truth in our lives.  And Jesus’ reminder to “beware that your hearts do not become drowsy” is well-heeded in a time when

* * * * * And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. -Gospel of St. Matthew 2:9-12 * * * *

** A Most Blessed Christmas to all my dear readers **  -Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts (all photos taken this week in downtown Seattle)

This song has been speaking to me in beautiful ways during the Advent season. I offer it to you as a gift for Christmas on this most holy night. Return in the morning for more images!

In the center of ourselves you place the power  of choosing. Forgive us the times we have given that power away, when we have sold  our birthright for that which does not satisfy. And so in your wisdom may our yes be truly yes and our no be truly no, that we may touch with dignity and love with integrity and know the freedom of our own choosing all our days. -Jan Richardson, from Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas ** For the season of Advent I am posting a reflection each Sunday on a theme from the

If you are here unfaithfully with us, you’re causing terrible damage. If you’ve opened your loving to God’s love, you’re helping people you don’t know and have never seen. Is what I say true? Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe. -Rumi ** For the season of Advent I am posting a reflection each Sunday on a theme from the lectionary readings and then during the week offering a poem each day to highlight that theme — see this past Sunday here **