A LABYRINTH PRAYER
JOURNEY THROUGH ADVENT
by Debra Dickerson, 2025
INTRODUCTION
The Advent season begins four Sundays prior to Christmas Eve. It is a time of preparation, anticipation, waiting, and reflecting. It is a time to remember the Christ child and his first arrival on earth as well as a time to look for the second coming of the Christ child. The term “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming” and is derived from the Latin word adventus.
Labryinths have been part of my spiritual practice for over a decade now. There’s something about them that draws me in, literally, to the center. I seek out labyrinths when I travel and have found them made out of stone, grass, pine straw, gravel, mulch, concrete, etc. The most unique labyrinth I experienced was made out of garden hoses at a retreat. I have found them inside and outside. Labyrinths offer a way to walk and pray. We are able to reflect, listen, and respond as we journey inward and outward. One of my “go-to” labyrinths is located at Burks UMC in Hixson, TN. Because it is near where I live, it tends to be the one I walk and pray more frequently. However, there are other ones in my local community. I invite you to search for a labyrinth near you using this search (https://labyrinthlocator.org/) if you are in a different area. If there is no physical labyrinth near you or if it isn’t accessible to you for any reason, I invite you to use a “finger labyrinth”. Here is a classic labyrinth you can print out for use:
This Advent season, I invite you to join me on a labyrinth prayer journey as we prepare for the presence of the Christ child. We will journey through the traditional weekly themes of “hope”, “peace”, “joy” and “love”, recognizing that there are other weekly words that could be the theme.
Each week will offer and introduction for the theme, a Scripture, a quote, and some spiritual practices. You are invited to engage with what draws your attention. There will be brief explanations and instructions for the spiritual practices along the journey.
Will you join me on the Advent adventure?
WEEK 1—HOPE
SCRIPTURE: Romans 15:13 (CEB—Common English Bible)
“May the God of
hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.”
QUOTE:
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness". ~Desmond Tutu
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Advent season is one of hope. It is also one of waiting. As someone who studied and taught Spanish and French, it intrigues me that the words for “to hope” in both those languages, esperar (Spanish) and espérer (French) also mean “to wait”. This offers us an opportunity to reflect on how “hope” and “wait” intersect.
Throughout this week, I invite you to read through the Scripture verse and the quote. As you read through them, what comes to mind? What sticks with you? How can you personalize the verse and/or the quote for where you are on life’s journey at this particular time?
Walking/Praying the labyrinth
There are many ways to walk/pray a labyrinth. This is one. (If you are doing a finger labyrinth, adapt the cues for your environment.)
- Take a deep breath in and then exhale at the entrance of the labyrinth.
- Follow the path to the center. As you are walking, consider offering your thoughts and concerns to God. Walk slowly, observe your surroundings. What do you notice?
- At the center, take a few moments to “be”. What do you notice here?
- When you are ready, begin the journey out.
- As you follow the path back to the beginning, consider offering your joys, praises, and gratitude to God.
- When you arrive at the entrance, take a moment before leaving the labyrinth. Take a deep breath in and exhale, giving thanks to God for the experience.
I invite you to walk and pray the labyrinth several times, if not daily. Consider using the finger labyrinth if you aren’t able to get to a labyrinth for any reason.
During this week of “hope”, here are some ways to incorporate the theme as you walk and pray the labyrinth:
- Take a copy of the Scripture verse and/or quote and read them as you walk, reflecting on what comes to mind.
- Ask yourself where you have hope these days, where you see hope. Reflect on these things.
- Ask yourself where you need hope these days. Reflect on these things.
Additional practices:
- Research. What other Scripture verses or quotes can you find on “hope”?
- Write a prayer on hope. What might a prayer on hope look like for you?
- Journal. Consider writing about your labyrinth experiences.
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