Minnesota Contemplative Outreach
  • Home
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Spring 2025 Silent Retreat
  • Groups
  • Introductory Workshops
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Spiritual Directors
  • Donate
  • Centering Prayer
  • National
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

Quiet Nativity

1/7/2020

 
Picture
by Jody Reis Johnson

Each year, at the beginning of Advent, I pray for eyes to see the Holy Child wherever He may appear. I believe my first sighting came early this year, the first weekend of the season, at our Advent Centering Prayer Retreat. A middle-aged couple introduced themselves to the group on the first evening by telling us that they had moved here from another part of the country seeking better services for an elderly and disabled parent.

They were clearly worn out by the stress of so much change on top of the daily grind of caretaking. But slowly, things were falling into place and they were getting settled in their new home. Having just found someone who could provide care in their home, husband and wife were finally able to take a long-awaited break.

I marveled that they had chosen to use the time to attend a silent retreat. In their place, most people would probably have shouted “Freedom!” while perusing the current movie listings and reviews of new dining options on TripAdvisor. But here they were, looking only to rest a bit in a quiet spot.

I had come to the retreat not just as a facilitator, but as another seeker. I was tired, too, if only from anticipation of the hectic Christmas season ahead. This year, the December calendar was as full as an overstuffed Christmas stocking. Life was busy enough without the added tasks of baking, decorating, and hosting the obligatory gatherings. And the gifts to shop for, and packages to mail! Already I felt overwhelmed, buried under lists of lists.

I wondered how to do it differently this year, How could I move through the holidays with gratitude rather than resentment, with a sense of peace even in the midst of activity? After all, Jesus was born into the very messiness of human life, not into a place where all was neatly prepared and ready. I longed to carry the Christ child in my heart this Advent season, but there was simply no room in the Inn.

And so, that first evening, as we all sat in prayer, I asked God for the gift of peace. I prayed that, in the space between gently released thoughts, the veil might be lifted from my eyes and Christ enter in. Then the group dispersed in silence to retire for the night.

The next morning at breakfast I saw the couple again. Overnight, snow had blanketed the world outside, and just beyond the windows the white-draped pine trees, tall and regal as magi, drew near. All was quiet: the hushed outdoors, the silent dining room. They sat side by side, gazing out, wordlessly taking in the scene. In the fullness of the moment, Peace was re-born for all. It was going to be a blessed Christmas.

Jody was co-facilitator, along with Carol Quest, of this past year's Advent Centering Prayer Retreat.

Comments are closed.

    Presence & Action Blog

    MN Contemplative Outreach publishes articles written by, and for, practitioners.  They are designed to deepen understanding of the Centering Prayer Practice and its power to change lives.

    To have an article considered for publication, click here.

    Categories

    All
    AA
    Annual Conference
    Art
    Basics
    Being Present
    Book Review
    Carl Arico
    Consent
    CP Group
    Cynthia Bourgeault
    Daily Practice
    David Frenette
    Divine Indwelling
    False Self
    Gratitude
    Guidelines
    Heartfulness DVD
    History
    Intensive Retreat
    Lectio Divina
    Listening
    Mindfulness
    Online Course
    Personal Testimonial
    Pilgrimage
    Poetry
    Prayer
    Retreat
    Richard Rohr
    Sacred Word
    Scripture
    Step 11
    St Olaf
    Susan Komis
    Thomas Keating
    Travel
    Welcoming Prayer
    Wisdom Practice

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2025
    February 2025
    October 2024
    August 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    November 2022
    March 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    October 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    August 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    March 2009
    July 2008
    September 2007

Copyright © 2024 Minnesota Contemplative Outreach.
Contact   Groups   Events   Resources   Donate