Advent Quiet Hour - Week 3

Annunciation - Fresco by Fra Angelico

The season of Advent has been set aside as a time of preparation for Christmas since at least the last half of the sixth century. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming.” Advent begins the church year, starting four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is a time for self-examination and asking for forgiveness as the church prepares to celebrate the incarnation of God at Christmas. Take time out during your commute to work to spend a few moments in stillness and prayer during our Advent Quiet Hour on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8am-9am. The readings, prayers, poems and practices in this leaflet may be helpful. Please take this sheet away with you.


Matthew 11:2-11
Gospel Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent 

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’


“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”


Visio Divina (“Divine Seeing”)

Visio Divina (‘divine seeing’) is a form of prayer using images. Choose an image - perhaps the image on the front of this leaflet. Explore it. Notice the colours and shapes, the subtleties of shadow and expression. As you move your focus around the image, pay attention to anything in particular that catches your eye. Be aware of any part of the image that calls to you, challenges you, or invites you to deeper reflection. Let your eyes rest there. 

Now focus more deeply on the part of the image that captured your attention. Let it draw you more deeply into the experience. Does it evoke memories, feelings or other images. Become aware of what the image touches in you. 

After you have taken time for your imagination to work, turn your focus to the ways you feel moved to respond. What is the invitation behind the pictures, memories or feelings that unfolded for you? How is God speaking to you through this image? 

Finally, release all the words and images that have been brought to mind. Allow yourself to rest in the loving presence of God. Offer a prayer of thanks to God for the gift of this time or prayer. For some, images are easier to use in prayer than words, but one form of prayer is no better than another – all are a doorway into sacred awareness.


Advent
Christina Rossetti 

This Advent moon shines cold and clear,
  These Advent nights are long;
Our lamps have burned year after year,
  And still their flame is strong.
“Watchman, what of the night?” we cry,
  Heart-sick with hope deferred:
“No speaking signs are in the sky,”
  Is still the watchman’s word.

The Porter watches at the gate,
  The servants watch within;
The watch is long betimes and late,
  The prize is slow to win.
“Watchman, what of the night?” but still
  His answer sounds the same:
“No daybreak tops the utmost hill,
  Nor pale our lamps of flame.”

One to another hear them speak,
  The patient virgins wise:
“Surely He is not far to seek,”--
  “All night we watch and rise.”
“The days are evil looking back,
  The coming days are dim;
Yet count we not His promise slack,
  But watch and wait for Him.”

One with another, soul with soul,
  They kindle fire from fire:
“Friends watch us who have touched the goal.”
  “They urge us, come up higher.”
“With them shall rest our waysore feet,
  With them is built our home,
With Christ.” “They sweet, but He most sweet,
  Sweeter than honeycomb.”

There no more parting, no more pain,

  The distant ones brought near,

The lost so long are found again,

  Long lost but longer dear:

Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard,

  Nor heart conceived that rest,

With them our good things long deferred,

  With Jesus Christ our Best.

We weep because the night is long,

  We laugh, for day shall rise,

We sing a slow contented song

  And knock at Paradise.

Weeping we hold Him fast Who wept

  For us,--we hold Him fast;

And will not let Him go except

  He bless us first or last.

Weeping we hold Him fast to-night;

  We will not let Him go

Till daybreak smite our wearied sight,

  And summer smite the snow:

Then figs shall bud, and dove with dove

  Shall coo the livelong day;

Then He shall say, “Arise, My love,

  My fair one, come away.”


Advent and Christmas Services at St Stephen Walbrook

Carols by Candlelight & Blessing of the Crib

Wednesday 18th December at 6.00pm

Join us to sing a selection of your favourite Christmas Carols at our Annual Parish Carol service, with music from our Choral Scholars and Community Choir. Followed by mulled wine & mince pies.

Midnight Mass Sung by the St Stephen Voices

Tuesday 24th December at 11.30pm

Join us to celebrate the birth of Christ. Music sung by The St Stephen Voices. Followed by refreshments.