Greeting siblings in Christ,
We are now entering into the month of December, and we are fully into the season of Advent. This season is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas and at the end of age. The word Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which literally means “coming” or “approach.” Thus, it is indeed a time of preparation as we wait for our Lord. However, the question is “how does one wait and prepare for Jesus?”
In the time of Advent, it is easy to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season. It is a joyful time of the year. However, sometimes, there is just too much going on. There are Christmas parties to attend. There are gifts to be bought and cookies to be baked. There are the Christmas Eve children pageants to plan and so forth. It is easy to get lost in it all, especially because we already live in a world that is constantly busy, that is constantly on the move. A world that is distracted by new technologies, social media, and the newest internet trends. Thus, this Advent season, as a congregation, we are going to wait and prepare for the coming of our Lord by slowing down. We are going to take a breath and practice being attentive to things happening around us. We are going to watch intentionally and carefully for our God. We are going to listen attentively to voices speaking around us, to God’s and to others. Therefore, our Advent theme this year will be “Listening Attentively,” and our theme verses will be from Proverbs 4:20-22:
20 My child, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
and healing to all their flesh.
One way that one can practice “Listening Attentively” to God is by prayerfully reading scripture. One way to do this is through the ancient Christian contemplative practice known as Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). This is a technique of slow, contemplative praying of the scripture which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. It begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts”, listening for the still, small voice of God to speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In Lectio one reads slowly, attentively, and gently; listening to hear a word or phrase that is God’s word for us this day. These special words or verses can give a sense of encouragement, comfort, thankfulness, or conviction that often applies to present situations and can draw us closer to God. Then, in response, closer to each other and out into the world, into the mission of Christ. Here is a brief outline of how one participates in Lectio Divina.
Practicing Lectio Divina
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
We are now entering into the month of December, and we are fully into the season of Advent. This season is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas and at the end of age. The word Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which literally means “coming” or “approach.” Thus, it is indeed a time of preparation as we wait for our Lord. However, the question is “how does one wait and prepare for Jesus?”
In the time of Advent, it is easy to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season. It is a joyful time of the year. However, sometimes, there is just too much going on. There are Christmas parties to attend. There are gifts to be bought and cookies to be baked. There are the Christmas Eve children pageants to plan and so forth. It is easy to get lost in it all, especially because we already live in a world that is constantly busy, that is constantly on the move. A world that is distracted by new technologies, social media, and the newest internet trends. Thus, this Advent season, as a congregation, we are going to wait and prepare for the coming of our Lord by slowing down. We are going to take a breath and practice being attentive to things happening around us. We are going to watch intentionally and carefully for our God. We are going to listen attentively to voices speaking around us, to God’s and to others. Therefore, our Advent theme this year will be “Listening Attentively,” and our theme verses will be from Proverbs 4:20-22:
20 My child, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
and healing to all their flesh.
One way that one can practice “Listening Attentively” to God is by prayerfully reading scripture. One way to do this is through the ancient Christian contemplative practice known as Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). This is a technique of slow, contemplative praying of the scripture which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. It begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts”, listening for the still, small voice of God to speak to us personally - not loudly, but intimately. In Lectio one reads slowly, attentively, and gently; listening to hear a word or phrase that is God’s word for us this day. These special words or verses can give a sense of encouragement, comfort, thankfulness, or conviction that often applies to present situations and can draw us closer to God. Then, in response, closer to each other and out into the world, into the mission of Christ. Here is a brief outline of how one participates in Lectio Divina.
Practicing Lectio Divina
- Choose a text or Scripture that you wish to pray.
- Place yourself in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent, focus on your breathing.
- Lectio (Read): Slowly and gently read the text. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”
- Mediatio (Reflect): During the second reading, reflect on what touches you, perhaps speaking the response aloud or writing in a journal. Allow this inner pondering, this rumination, to invite you into dialogue with God. How is God speaking to you?
- Oratio (Respond): After reading the passage a third time, respond with a prayer or expression of what you have experienced. What is God calling to you this day or this week? Experience God using the word or phrase that has been given to you as a means of blessing, of transformation.
- Contemplatio (Rest): Finally, rest in silence after a fourth reading feeling God’s embrace.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
