Today is the day after Christmas, or the "2nd Day of Christmas". The Advent season is gone, but the Christmas season remains until January 6, Epiphany.
I was able to walk and pray the labyrinth at Burks UMC on Christmas Eve day in the morning.
The Advent journey begins with hope and ends with love.
Burks UMC labyrinth
It was 59 degrees Fahrenheit when I walked and prayed the labyrinth on Wednesday morning. There was lots of birdsong-- chirping and singing. Unlike last week, there was no dog barking from the nearby houses. That was a reprieve.
As I walked to the center, various people and situations came to mind. I lifted them up in prayer. The statement from Sunday's sermon was part of my journey: "Where God guides, God provides." Though I don't know if that was generic or specific, it was something that came to mind as I wandered the labyrinth path.
As I walked and prayed, I reflected on the week's theme of love. What IS love? Love is many things, to many people, in many situations. What came to mind on Christmas Eve day is that love is "letting go". Letting go of what exactly? Maybe people, situations, circumstances, things, etc. Love is serving others, listening to others, caring for others, spending time with others, doing things for others.
Because the greatest commandment is 'love God and others as yourself', love is also doing those same things for God and self.
Only as I grow in loving myself can I adequately love God and others. It's a life-long learning process. It involves self care and soul care.
My Advent practice of walking and praying the labyrinth was one way for me to live into self care and soul care.
Hopefully the end of Advent won't end my labyrinth practice. Truthfully, it is sporadic. Unless I have a specific goal (like walking and praying for Advent or Lent), my labyrinth time tends to be random. It would be a great spiritual practice to include more often. We will see.
Whether you joined my Advent adventure for one week or more (or not at all), I hope your Advent season was full of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Rev. Deb
from the center looking toward the back
from a bench looking to the front of the labyrinth
Week 4 Advent link:
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