Photo was taken yesterday morning on the Cork/Dublin motorway near Urlingford at 8.22 A.M

Even on a motorway there are still beautiful moments to be seen like the sunrise yesterday morning. There could only be one title for this picture: Advent Sunrise!

Thought on Monday – November – 28/11/2011

Yes we long for time to ponder, to wonder, to pray, yet at this stage of the year, time seems even more elusive than usual. So much needs to be squeezed into every hour of every day. Yet the desire and the craving claw at us, convincing us that we would find ourselves less stressed if we would heed God’s invitation to be still for a few minutes each day. ~Joyce Huggett

Yesterday marked the beginning of our journey through Advent. Advent is from the Latin word ‘Adventus’ meaning arrival. It is a time of waiting for the arrival of Christmas. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. It is a beautiful season but often gets pushed to the side lines because we have more pressing priorities. As life causes us to rush and race we know that there is another part of life that is waiting to be discovered. This other part often comes in small packages like quiet time, prayer, counting our blessings, listing our priorities and finding hope in the midst of darkness and doubts. Advent is never forced but always invites. We are invited to personalise the coming weeks. What is the biggest darkness in my life at the moment? Who or what might bring me a sense of light and hope in my life? Advent allows us to hold deeper questions and to find the beginning of some answers as we journey towards Christmas.