Advent Online Retreat Introduction

Attending to Advent
by Kathy Prudden

Advent – “a coming into being or use”, “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event”.

Attending – “to pay attention to”, “to wait for, expect”.

Hmm…these seem to be related. The time of Advent is typically thought of as a time of preparation and waiting for the arrival of the Christ Child. I don’t know about you, but waiting is sometimes hard for me, particularly if I’m really excited about the arrival of a person, thing, or event. I often want to do something, in preparation or to speed things along, instead of just sitting around waiting. Yet I also firmly believe the adage that says that the journey is as valuable, if not more so, than the destination. While advertisers would have us focus only on Christmas day, we know that Advent, a time of preparation and a quiet waiting for the Messiah, is essential.

Here is where attending comes in. If you’ve been to Convergence recently you’ve likely noticed our new exhibit on Attending, by Julie Shelton Snyder. Julie states: “Attending means waiting and listening and, maybe most of all, longing.” As you count down the days to Christmas, to the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, what is it that you are waiting? What do you want to pay attention to?

Between now and Christmas we will offer a weekly online meditation; a brief reflection, poetry, Audio Divina (Holy Listening) with Christmas music, and an activity designed to explore what it is that you are listening, waiting, and longing for this Advent season. Pay attention to this space, and eagerly wait for the birth of the Messiah.

*Pictured above:“Painted Houses”, Ndebele Artisans, Creche from South Africa.