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Advent, Bible Readings, Centennial Concert Hall, Christ, christianity, Christmas, God, Jesus, Messiah, music, Religion and Spirituality, Signpost music, st benedict's table, Steve Bell, Winnipeg, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, worship
Peace
Last year I set myself a task, a task which was more challenging than I had thought, but a worthwhile one for me. I set about to provide a short daily reflection on the readings appointed for each day of Advent – all four weeks. If you are interested in them you can view them here, or click on the Advent tab above. These are in reverse order. So you may need to scroll down to find the approximate date you are looking for. They are based on 2012 calendar.
This year I decided to take a rest. But I found out about a series of four podcasts; a collaboration among a local Anglican worshipping community (st benedict’s table), Sign Post Music and the Anglican Church of Canada.
To hear the podcasts Click here.
Last Sunday we attended a concert at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg, the concert featured Steve Bell a local Christian songwriter, performer and storyteller. He had his usual backup band, plus the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. It was a wonderful evening of great music. Steve also shared stories of his life which gently revealed his deep faith.
Steve was one of the collaborators on the Advent podcasts.
If you would like to know more about Steve and hear his music click here, there are sample tracks from his album Symphony Sessions as well as links to the rest of his website.
Have a blessed Advent. Take time to reflect on life and all the ways you are blessed. If you are Christian, take this time to slow down, be at peace and know that God is already with you, as you await the celebration of Christ’s birth and the final coming again of the King of Peace.
For my friends who do not share my Christian faith – may you enjoy times of quiet and peace.
JustRod and my angel
Reflections in Puddles 
I listened to about 15 minutes or so maybe less of one Podcast. Will have to go back when I have time to really listen. This one was about sheep to Jesus’s right and the goats to the left. I have never heard or read of that before.
Anyhow will also back to find some of the advent teachings of last year. I think i might have commented in a number of them but maybe not.
The little cartoon of you and Susan is a good one. Who made it?
Glad you had a listen to one if the podcasts. Jamie and the others are worth listening too
The cartoon was done by a friend of a family from our last parish. It was a retirement gift. I thought it might give a few readers a chuckle.
Rod, you are way ahead of me. I’m not sure I even know what a podcast is? Is it a pre-recorded radio programme? whatever it is, a podcast sounds like a good way to get a message across at Advent or any other time of the year. I read somewhere recently that in Tudor times (oh dear, my memory is failing me yet again but anyway, a long time ago) advent was a time of fasting for Christians and the diet was kept strict and simple until Christmas Day when they could all let their hair down and get on with some serious feasting. Did you know about this? The cartoon is great fun!
Advent was, for long time, treated in a similar way to Lent. It included self reflection and restraint. The discipline of fasting was often used to help change our way of perceiving our lives. The third Sunday in Lent was used for instance by Roman Catholics, as a break in the strict discipline of the season, it marked the half-way point and a mini celebration was held. I believe including some extra treats.
Christmas – the Mass of Christ – was the second most important feast day in the church year (after Easter), and feast days were often preceded by a time of fasting.
Unfortunately today (from a churchy point of view) the days of Advent are often filled with feasting and parties, and the period of Christmas is reduced to a single day. In the church we don’t celebrate Christmas until Christmas Eve and the ‘season’ of Christmas lasts 12 days, followed by Epiphany, the experience of God in Christ, and then the Baptism of the Lord (some thirty years later – the church moves fast in some things).
Podcasts are a way of providing radio or other recorded sessions over the internet. There are many that you can subscribe to and they will be automatically delivered to your computer ready for you to listen.
These four are quite short talks and music about this special season of Advent – a time of waiting for the second coming of Christ.
I bet you weren’t expecting all that 🙂
No I wasn’t! but it’s all really fascinating and thanks Rod for filling me in. I’ve always thought that Christmas starts on Christmas Eve. We always wait until Christmas Eve to put up our tree and decorate the house.
Good for you! I think that brings far more excitement and meaning to the holiday. Many of us are sick of the commercial idea of Christmas and the incessant christmasy music in the stores and on the radio by the time Christmas Eve comes by.
I hope you have a great Christmas celebration in your new home – and things are more comfortable by then.
Advent, as preparation, was very much stressed in my childhood (I went to a parochial school); and I loved it. Christmas is much less meaningful without it.
Liturgy and ritual (along with the notion of patiently, deliberately waiting and preparing) may have gone out of fashion, but they’re still very important to me. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for your comments Tracy. I think people need ritual. More and more young people who have never experienced liturgy are finding how beautiful it can be, when done well and with authenticity.
Unfortunately the rituals today seem more about family outings to shopping malls.
Have a blessed Advent.
Rod, thanks for the reminder that we should slow down and count our blessings – yes we should, and there are many things I can be thankful for, I am happy to say. However – slow down? three weeks before Christmas? Now, that’s a difficult one. 🙂
I didn’t say anything about it being easy! 🙂 One thing we can do, is to just set aside a few minutes every day to be still and quiet. Put it in the calendar as an immovable appointment – and then just enjoy the bliss of doing nothing – but maybe a little meditating on blessings and just feeling thankful. I signed up for Tuesday evenings in Advent series at our church. Just a few people getting together and sitting quietly with candle light and thinking about the season. The first one, last night, was just what I needed. A spiritual breather.
Sounds wonderful!
I’m a mellow fellow.. 😉
I’m not much on religion, Rod. But I do wish you and yours happy and healthy times. That goes for your parish as well. At all times the good people of the world should live in comfort and peace and the not so good folks should see how the good live and change their ways. Unfortunately, I hold little sway in this world. 🙂
Thanks for your good wishes Steve.
These are wonderful, Rod. My favorite Advent was when, each evening,we opened a door on our children’s Advent calendar, and whatever picture was behind the door, we took turns creating a poem or a prayer or a little story about it. This was our gift for the Baby Jesus’ birthday.
What a lovely thing to do. It’s too bad Advent Calendars today are mainly about chocolate!
I bet your children have wonderful memories of the Advent times.