Advent!
A hearty "happy Advent!" to you. I hope it's treating you well so far... I have an excellent video I want to share with this blog. It's 2-3 minutes long and is a video called Advent Conspiracy which overviews a movement of churches and individuals trying to make a difference this Christmas for those less fortunate AND gives a great perspective on gift-giving - a must see before YOUR shopping spree :)
Can't play the above video? Watch it on GodTube.
Well, what did you think of the video? I think the idea is great... to "give Presence" this Christmas. Please share your thoughts on the comments below :)
-snip-
Finally, a word from Pope Benedict on Advent that connects to the above video (he gave this address yesterday in Rome):
Brothers and sisters, it is the time of Advent. In the language of the Church the word Advent has two meanings: presence and expectation.
Presence: The light is present, Christ is the new Adam, he is with us and in our midst. The light already shines and we must open the eyes of the heart to see the light and to enter the river of light. Above all to be grateful for the fact that God himself has entered history as new source of goodness.
But Advent also means expectation: The dark night of evil is still strong. And that is why we pray in Advent with the ancient people of God: "Rorate caeli desuper." And we pray with insistence: Come Jesus; come, give force to light and goodness; come where falsehood, ignorance of God, violence and injustice dominate; come, Lord Jesus, give force to the good of the world and help us to be bearers of your light, agents of peace, witnesses of truth. Come Lord Jesus!
How will you carry His Presence into your environments this advent and Christmas?
Labels: advent, christmas, evangelization, Pope Benedict, video
posted by Pete Ascosi @ 10:21 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
This video inspires me to not only show it to the high school girls I work with, but also to encourage them to give more meaningful gifts... I let you know how it goes :)
Giving less to give to those who need it is one way but to also give gifts that give back.
Here are some ideas...
http://www.nightlightbangkok.com/catalogue.htm
http://www.beadforlife.org/
http://www.heifer.org/
http://www.serrv.org/
I know there are so many more, let me know if you know of any other similar organizations…
Thanks love (ally is my wife;) for the links!
I was thinking about answering my own question as well "how will I carry His Presence into situations this Advent"
I guess one thing I'm trying to do is to be aware of His Presence with me first... So when I go into a situation where there are people who may or may not have any idea of God's love for them... I try to pray so that the Lord will open opportunities.
Earlier this year I just finished a great prayer time and I went to get a six-pack at a liquor store and somehow I got into a conversation with the store manager about how I homebrew... Which is funny for a guy like me who works in ministry.
This started a conversation which led me to take one more step than I would normally... I asked casually "so, do you have a spiritual belief?" She paused and then said "yeah, I believe in God and all and I used to go to the local Catholic Church but I don't like confession..."
Well, it didn't end in her saying "oh my gosh I need to recommit my life to Jesus and go back to Church and receive God's forgiveness!" (I wish)
But it did "break the atmosphere" of the usual banter... And my response about my own experience in Church and with confession and with my young adult group - hopefully planted some seeds - and broke my own usual "cone of silence" about my love and pursuit of following Jesus as the purpose and central anchor of my life.
Well, Holy Spirit, I ask you would give all of us that read this a fresh spark that we might be aflame for Jesus and carry that to light torches that gone dim or completely out! Amen :)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.
good video. very creative and artistic.
All of our decorating and shopping is in celebration of God's ultimate gift: Jesus.
If I'm ever caught busy with the events and busy-ness of Christmas without recalling His arrival on our planet, and that He is the only reason we do all this stuff, than my activities and celebrations are EMPTY! Always bring yourself back to worship; just like the video emphasized.
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