It’s so good to get outdoors on a clear sunny day and enjoy some winter sunshine. The window of opportunity is small with our short winter days, but so worth it when you get outside.
Mindful Quotation😇: “Winter teaches us that not everything in life is about growth. Sometimes we need to embrace the quiet moments of rest.” ~Morgan Harper Nichols
Mindful Prayer🙏: Loving God, the beauty of winter is within our reach. It’s a time of rest and renewal. I also need such time. Amen
(All of the above is updated daily)
Video 🎥
This one is called ‘Ballyfeard Ploughing’
If you would like to see a selection of my other videos on Youtube you can click this link here. https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMcSweeneyFr/videos
Thought For The Week
We began our journey through Advent yesterday. Many call it the run into Christmas. It is certainly that but it is also much more.
Advent has been described as a spiritual treasure. This treasure is not hidden or meant just for a select few. It is ours to explore and to know that there is a beautiful message waiting to be discovered.
At the heart of this message is that we are loved, unique, precious and special. The God of Christmas is a God of love. In a world where darkness and negativity seem to have lots of momentum, Christmas reminds us that this momentum can be slowed down. On Christmas Eve and Christmas day it comes to a gentle halt.
We have our Advent Wreath here. We have seen it many times before and for me it is always a sign of hope. It is circular to remind us of God’s eternal and constant love of us. Nothing will ever change this.
The late Pope Francis said in one of his Christmas letters: “Those who open their hearts to God’s love and are open to receiving the light of Jesus, cannot keep this gift to themselves.”
Advent is often pushed to the sidelines because there isn’t time to become reflective or there isn’t time to be quiet in the run up to Christmas. Does this make Advent less important? Not at all. It is our treasure waiting to be discovered. I hope you have a lovely journey through Advent.
And now I’m going to light the first candle here on the wreath. The flame is a sign of hope. A sign of the difference God’s light can make in our lives.
And I will finish with a prayer to bless this Advent wreath
Loving God, bless this wreath and the light it will give. This candle flame reminds us that Jesus is with us. Bless us with hope, peace, joy and love. There are many shapes, but the circle of light and love that are part of this Advent wreath are ours to hold and to share. Bless us with light and love today. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
