A RESTING PLACE: OUR HEARTS

Two books for Advent Meditations, and a prayer to start...

Lord Jesus, You have come so many times to us and found no resting place...

forgive us our overcrowded lives,

our vain haste 

and our preoccupation with self.

Come again, O Lord, and though our hearts are a jumble of voices, and our minds overlaid with many fears, find a place however humble, where You can begin to work Your wonder as your create peace and joy within us.

If in some hidden corner, in some out-of-the-way-spot, we can clear away the clutter, and shut out the noise and darkness, come be born again in us, and we shall kneel in perfect peace with the wisest and humblest of men.

Help us to enter into this Christmas Fast with humility, yet with joy.  

And finally Lord, give us Christmas from within, that we may share it from without, on all sides, all around us, wherever there is need.  God help us, every one, to share the blessing of Jesus, in whose name we keep Christmas holy.  Amen. 

-Opening Prayer from Daily Meditations and Prayers for the Christmas Advent Fast and Epiphany, by Presbytera Emily Harakas and Fr. Anthony Coniaris.

The second book that helps my heart, mind and soul during Advent is Meditations for Advent, preparing for Christ's Birth by Vassilios Papavassiliou.

This year, more than ever, with all the unrest and uncertainty in our nation and world, we need to make a place for Him.  

May God bless our efforts.