Into the Silence For Weekend Advent Retreat

ONE OF MY FAVORITE WAYS TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS----AND THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD---is to go into the deep silence, stillness and starkness of the new winter season for a few days. No  better place than the community at St. Mary's Retreat Center outside Sewanee. 

No computers, cell phones (okay, I will have mine in my room), TVs or talking (except for the evening meals). May even do a partial fast. Just wish it were a bit longer. But this time of reflection will indeed be a gift at a time given over to over-the-top  consumerism, over-eating and drinking and non-stop activities.  It's a great time to take stock of the past year, meditate on Scripture, pray and give quiet thanks to God in the community of fellow believers for His greatest gift to the world of His Son.  Below is a wonderful psalm to meditate on at such an occasion:

Waiting for the Redemption of the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

130 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
² Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.

³ If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
⁶ My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

⁷ O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
⁸ And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

Psalm 130