- 15
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
December 15, 2023
The Thirteenth Day of Advent
Today slipped away without anything happening to catch my eye, or ear, to share with you. It was more quiet, than is usual, uneventful. Perhaps this type of day is most familiar to each of us, more similar between each of us. That is it! I felt as if I had proclaimed it aloud. Eureka! I was in the midst of celebrating ordinary days. Most of our days, upon Earth, are spent moving from one thing to another, no extraordinary occurrences interrupting the flow. And that is how it has been for centuries. All of us doing whatever was ours to do from sunrise to sunset, then falling asleep, ending the ordinary day. So, as I sang the songs and read the verse, lighting two candles on the Advent wreath, I repeated the prayer, “Thank you God, for this extraordinary ordinary day.” While these are not the days we often remember in stories, or commemorate in a poem, they are of such comfort. These are the days which comprise most of our lifetime on Earth. And it is in their quiet presence we find tender repose.
On this thirteenth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 32:2.
The Reading
December 15, 2023
“Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.” Isaiah 32:2
- 15
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
Set down that burden of shame you have been carrying, pushed down, so deeply entrenched that no one would guess the secret consuming you from within. For I know you, and all about you, yet still love you. Rid yourself of shame by sitting with Me. Bring that which you are, shame and all. When I speak, you will listen and hear, then come to see that shame does not have a home within you unless you provide it. In My light all things shall be illuminated, revealed in The Glory of My Light. What do I see in The Glory of My Light? I see thee, My child. I see thee.
And The Holy Spirit says:
Acknowledge that which you have thought, and said, and done. Then you will no longer need to run nor hide from anyone.
- 14
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
December 14, 2023
The Twelfth Day of Advent
I walked in the front door to an unusually quiet house, at least for 3:00 pm. Then I saw my daughter-in-law and granddaughter, sitting together, under a blanket, on the sofa, in the living room. It was still in the room. My granddaughter looked up and smiled, without calling my name and running straight toward me. My daughter-in-law said, “hello,” in a hushed tone. There was a small stack of clothing in her lap, and she was sewing a patch on the knee of a pant leg. Normally, I would have waved and gone down the stairs to my apartment, without thinking much about it. But this was different. I believe it is because everyday things are catching my eye this Advent season, more than ever. It occurred to me that thousands of years ago, when the people were waiting for that which was to come, they were performing everyday tasks such as mending clothing, cooking meals, and bringing in the harvest. I walked, quietly, back up the stairs, and peeked around the corner, my eyes drinking in the vignette before me. Soon, laughter and squeals of joy would fill the air. It would no longer be quiet. But now, just for a while, held in the sweet silence of contentment and love, they were the gift, a vision of peace.
On this twelfth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 32:2.
The Reading
December 14, 2023
“Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.” Isaiah 32:2
- 14
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
When you feel as if you have been slighted, or treated poorly, do not fall back into the mist of grieving what you believe to be your fate. As you make your Earth journey you will encounter days of joy, days of sadness, days of glory, days of dancing, days of tasting the wine of Earth. Part of the journey will always be to encounter many experiences, including those which rise up and surprise you. You might ask, “What can I do to avoid the days filled with grief, sadness, or hurt?” And I will say unto you, there is nothing you can do to avoid life, as it comes to you. What you can do is speak with Me, every day. And when that which you wish to avoid comes your way, we will talk, and I will show you The Way through, so that everything which comes to you will turn out to be good. The difficult days will become the lessons of wisdom. The carefree days shall become the source of delightful memories, dancing in the sun, until the day is done.
And The Holy Spirit says:
Not one experience which comes to you should be discarded as worthless, as you turn your head and wait for something new. Each experience can be of value to you. As I was sent to live within you, I was sent to bring you to this point, this clarity of thought. I was sent to guide you. Do not ignore the wisdom I hold, as a gift, for you. It might turn out, in the end, that you come to place great value on that which once would have threatened you. Come, I will whisper, and, in the listening, you will know exactly what to do.
- 13
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
December 13, 2023
The Eleventh Day of Advent
The adjust-as-you-grow roller skates, I ordered for one of my granddaughters, for Christmas, arrived yesterday. Protection gear, matching the skates in color and the designs, arrived in another box. The skates are just perfect, pink in color, rainbows on each side, and wheels which light up as you go. I found myself getting excited just thinking of her rolling along the sidewalk, off on an adventure. Somehow, I found comfort in the padding for elbows, knees, and wrists. She already has a helmet, so protection is in place for her journey around the neighborhood. As I wrapped the gift, that inner voice called again, reminding me that God had given me the same type of gift long, long ago, when it was my time to begin my adventure on Earth. My gift was colorful in a way suiting me perfectly, a unique touch just for me. No matter where I would go, the traction propelling my travels would light up, as I made my way. Even safety gear was included in my gift of life upon Earth. The Holy Spirit of God is within me to comfort and teach and lead The Way. I like to think that God was a bit excited just thinking of me rolling along, off on an Earth adventure of my lifetime, protection included. Because you have chosen to accompany me through this Advent season, my season is richer, brighter, holds even more meaning. And for this I am thankful. Thank you for being my companion, walking The Way.
On this eleventh day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 30:21.
The Reading
December 13, 2023
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
- 13
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inDaily Message
Come to Me when your heart is melting; and come to Me when it is full. For, just as we can sit in silence, it is just as easy for us to soar. We are not limited to any one thing. So just as we sit, we can fly, we can sing. No matter what your situation, you will be with Me, forever and ever more. No matter where you go, there I AM. I AM always close to you, even when you run from Me, even when you ignore Me. I know thee because you come from Me. That is set, for it is truth, and shall always be, never changing. What can change is how much you know Me; and it is possible for you to know Me, as I know thee. The path to that relationship is communication, drawing Me into everything about thee, connecting with Me because you choose that it be so.
And The Holy Spirit says:
God knows everything there is to know about you. But how well do you know God? The only way to know another is to speak your heart with them, and to listen to that which they are saying, from their heart. This is sharing from a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Seek this relationship with your Eternal Parent. God will always listen, then take your hand, and guide you onto The Path of Wisdom in all things, in all ways. God is with you, always.
- 12
- Dec
- 2023
- Posted byThe Quiet Place
- inAdvent
December 12, 2023
The Tenth Day of Advent
I slipped from my bed, well before dawn, went into the sitting room, and turned on the lights of the Christmas tree. As I sat for morning prayer the beauty of the lights, in an otherwise dark room, gave me a gift of peace. In this sacred sanctuary I began morning prayer, eyes closed, as usual. When I opened my eyes. It was still so early that the only light, in the room, came from the tree. Then, once again, my eyes settled on the Advent wreath. No candles were lit. That would take place, as usual, at sunset. But I wanted to light the candles now, in the darkness, before the rising of the sun. At first, I resisted lighting the candles, insisting that it was not sunset, not even sunrise. The routine, the ritual, was to light the appropriate candles on the Advent wreath, at sunset every day, during the season of Advent; and I could not bring myself to break with tradition, at least our family tradition. Then a quiet voice, from within me, whispered. “There is not a set-in-stone rule about the time for an Advent ceremony.” I heard myself responding, out loud. “Well, I know that.” But did I? Was I being rigid, inflexible? I knew the answer was “yes.” So, in the predawn hush I began the song, The Light of the Dove, lit two candles, and thoroughly enjoyed my break with tradition. It felt good. By the time I blew out the candles, the first light of day was coming in through the windows. Wow, that was wonderful! With a semi-defiant stride, I went up to the family kitchen, turned on the oven to five hundred degrees, washed a huge baking potato, and placed it, center oven. Must admit I was smiling as I set the timer for one hour. Baked potato for breakfast! I am turning into an Advent rebel. I encourage each of you to do the same. Shake a few things up today. Have a baked potato for breakfast. Change the time of day you light the candles on the Advent wreath. Live on the edge.
On this ninth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:10.
The Reading
December 12, 2023
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10