Week 4: Love - Christmas Eve

For some of us it's been a good year - dreams have come true, problems solved, and needs met. For too many though, 2024 has been very hard, cruel even. Losses have outweighed gains and the struggle to live has been a daily challenge.  And yet here we all are gathered again on the doorstep of Christmas in the centre of life, carrying the hopes and fears of all the years. 

As the sun sets later this day and the stars arise, around the world Christmas candles will begin to light up the darkness.

May  hope, peace, joy, and love awaken together again this night.

May Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit dance joyfully together this night.

May Christmas morning dawn merry and bright.

Thank you all for joining me again this year for Reflections for Advent.

Merry Christmas!

©2024 April Hoeller

Week 4: Love - Monday

 

©2024 April Hoeller

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

Four candles now send their light and warmth out into the world, not only just around me but out into all the corners of the earth wherever Advent candles are alight this day. Hope, Peace, and Joy are now gathered together in Love.

Within my heart there is a Christmas moment:
a sacred place where light shines with tender memories;
where angelic voices sing out lustily and with good courage;
a place of wonder where all is calm, all is bright.

Guardian of long nights and bright stars,
journey with me through these last days
that I may know and cherish my Christmas moments.

Whatever your faith, may you find:

hope for your fears,

love for your sorrows and

light in the darkness.

©2024 April Hoeller

Week 3: Joy - Saturday, The Winter Solstice

 

Our distant ancestors were terrified by this time of year when it seemed the sun was bent on plunging the world they knew forever into darkness. Out of this communal fear, a primal holy night was born. Great fires were built on hilltops and in sacred places. The people danced around the flames and chanted prayers to the gods to bring back the sun.

As it was and ever shall be, all is not merry and bright in this season of the heart, yet the circle of life assures us there will yet be a brighter day.

May all the Yule fires,

all the candles,

all the Christmas lights

work together to light up the darkness.

©2024 April Hoeller

Week 3: Joy - Friday

 

©2024 April Hoeller

Week 3: Joy - Thursday

 

©2024 April Hoeller

Week 3: Joy - Wednesday

 

©2024 April Hoeller