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Are You Ready? Lent is Coming Quickly

February 7, 2017 By Jean Wise

Lent

Lent is coming quickly. Are you ready? I know, I know what you are thinking.  You just got Christmas put away. You barely remember your New Year's resolutions.  And the Super Bowl is finally over. You can’t begin to think about the next holy season yet. But you can do a few things to get your heart and mind ready for the Lenten Season. Let’s talk about Lent this Tuesday and next week I will share with you some practices to consider trying during Lent. What is Lent? First, what is Lent? The 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays, comprised the season of Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday which this year falls on March 1. The word comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten” meaning spring. The symbolism of 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his ministry and being tempted by Satan. I like the sound of spring, but hesitate at the temptation and wilderness portion.  LOL Traditionally Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual practices

Christmas Ornaments Traditions

December 22, 2016 By Jean Wise

Christmas ornaments

The tradition of putting Christmas ornaments on our tree each year brings back memories and smiles, creates a bright, seasonal ambiance to the room and tells the story of our faith, family and life journey through displaying family heirlooms and cherished collectibles. This month I have been exploring different themes of Advent and traditions with Christmas to help prepare our hearts for celebration of the birth of Christ.  Something as simple as Christmas ornaments enriches our holiday and deepens our Christmas experience. Christmas ornaments provide several moments of connecting with our memories and generating a holiday spirit – as we unwrapped them and put them on the tree, as we watch them in the twinkling lights and tell others the stories behind the décor and as we gently wrapped them into safe keeping for another year. The History of the Christmas Ornament Bringing inside an evergreen this time of year began in Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries.  Often these trees … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual lessons

Christmas Traditions – Jolabokaflod

December 15, 2016 By Jean Wise

Jolabokaflod

Never heard of the Christmas tradition of Jolabokaflod? The word Jolobokaflod comes from Iceland and means “Christmas Book Flood.”  The people of Iceland share in the wonderful holiday ritual of giving books to one another on Christmas Eve. Then they spend the night reading. The BBC reported in 2013 that “This island nation of just over 300,000 people has more writers, more books published and more books read, per head, than anywhere else in the world.” Jolabokaflod dates back to World War II when currency restriction limited the number of gifts that could be imported. The regulation on paper was more lenient, so books rose in popularity. Some historians think the practice dates back even further as Iceland is a country rich in storytelling and folklore. In November, a catalog featuring all the new books is sent to every household. Commercials on television is less advertising for electronics, gadgets, and jewelry and focus more on books. What a wonderful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual practices

Advent Themes – Expectations!

December 13, 2016 By Jean Wise

expectations

Holidays are full of expectations. I expect everything to be perfect, nice, full of joy.  I long for family members to get along and to feel loved. I want the table to look just right and the food to be yummy. I expect to see the smiles on the faces of those around me and hear the giggles and glee of my grandkids. I long to experience the wonder and awe of that first Christmas too.  To hear the angels in all their glory singing. To kneel with the Wise Men and worship the newborn King. To cuddle the Prince of Peace in my arms and my heart as Mary did. To rest knowing Jesus has arrived and will come again. Expectations can be both good and bad, but are part of our human nature and a relevant Advent theme to ponder. Expectations I read the other day that expectations were “premeditated disappointments.”  When we focus on too high, unrealistic, and far long-off possibilities and dreams, our hopes are often dashed. When I cling too tightly on how I see things and assume how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual lessons

You’ve Seen One, But Do You Know the Meaning About the Moravian Star?

December 8, 2016 By Jean Wise

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The Moravian Star? You’ve seen one. I’ve seen them. But do you know the meaning about this Advent Star? I didn’t know its name and learning its story revealed a new tradition I am adding to enrich my holiday season. What is the Moravian Star? You will recognize the Moravian star when you see it. I did too, but didn’t know that this type of star had a special name and story. While we may decorate with stars on our trees and mantels at Christmas time, the Moravian star is unique in having usually 26 points and is multidimensional. The number of star points can range from 6 to more than 100. The Moravian Star represents the greatness of God, creator of the universe, the star that led the Wise Men to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king and the star of David, the Messiah, Christ. The Moravian star is often made from paper and is illuminated so it shines from within. Usually white or yellow, the star has been made in all the colors in more recent times. What is the Story of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual lessons

Advent Themes – HOPE!

December 6, 2016 By Jean Wise

expectations

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13 (NIV) As the reader finished the second reading on Sunday with these words, I felt like God was presenting the message in this blessing just for me. As a spiritual director, I have learned to pay attention when words or an image vibrates within my heart and stirs my spirit.  On Sunday these words of Advent hope struck me deeply and continue to stay with me in my prayers and conversations with God. In December on this blog, I’m exploring the various themes of Advent and what they could mean for our life now and forever.  This week’s word:  HOPE! Why Advent Hope? December here in northwest Ohio is dark and damp and dreary.  Winter is gloomy and murks my spirit. I long for the warmth and lightness of summer, not the snowy, hide by the fireplace under the crochet blanket, dusky coldness that shrouds everything. I realized … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual lessons

Advent Themes – Look!

November 29, 2016 By Jean Wise

expectations

Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the year. The candles, music, words, and themes stir my spirit and refocus my heart of the true reason for the season. Exploring Advent themes brings peace and depth to my walk towards Christmas. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas and is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Advent prepares our hearts and minds for the coming, or “advent” of the Christ child at Christmas. Advent invites us not to do more, but to pause and be and listen and refocus on what matters. [Tweet "Advent invites us not to do more but to pause and be and listen and refocus on what matters. "] The next few weeks on this blog, let’s dive into the themes of Advent and what they could mean for our life now and forever.  This week’s word:  Look! Advent Theme - Look Up! I told the kids during the children’s moment last Sunday that God invites us to watch for him during this season. Look intently for his presence. Watch for his appearance.  Stay awake … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual practices

2016 Thanksgiving -A Day to Give Thanks

November 24, 2016 By Jean Wise

The Powerful Practice of Gratitude. healthyspirituality.org

Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours. Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. A time to give thanks to God for all he gives us.  Take a moment to ponder all his gifts. Think about what we miss or ignore that provide for us. Breath in life. Behold the present. Be thankful for all things. A year ago I printed a free download titled "Questions to Nurture Gratitude" for you to ponder. If you want it again or didn't get it last year just click the button below to get your free gift.  Thank you. Click Here to Receive the List May your day be filled with gratitude! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual practices

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Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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