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Waiting in the Dark

Advent, a season of joyful expectation before Christmas, begins Nov. 29 this year. The Advent wreath, with a candle marking each week of the season, is a traditional symbol of the liturgical period. (CNS photo/Lisa A. Johnston, St. Louis Review)

Trinity Lakeside Abbey Advent Newsletter

Poet Malcolm Guite, in the preface to Waiting on the Word, his delightful poetry anthology for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, shares his hope that his compilation will “help restore the quietness, that inner peace, that willingness to wait unfulfilled in the dark, in the midst of a season that conspires to do nothing but fling bling and tinsel at us right through December.” His words hold an essential prayer for this culturally noisy season.

Guite acknowledges what we all feel right now as we embrace the liturgical season of Advent, with its quiet reflection and preparation of heart, just as the pre-Christmas frenzy begins its wind up. Waiting is never easy, but waiting on the Lord with a peaceful, quiet spirit, waiting unfulfilled in the dark in this time of year feels especially hard, like swimming against the tide.

We are all waiting for something. Is waiting on God just the time between the times? Or is there something good in the waiting? Register now for the Advent Silent Retreat: Waiting for His Coming, this Saturday, December 6, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Trinity Lakeside Abbey. Registration closes Thursday, December 4.

Coming in Advent and Christmastide

Advent Silent Retreat: Waiting for His Coming, Saturday, December 6, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service, 6:00 pm, Wednesday, December 24

Christmas Lessons and Carols Service, Sunday, December 28 at 10:00 am. A traditional worship service dating back to 1880 which tells the story of God’s love in word and song.

More on Trinity Lakeside Abbey

Read the story and vision of Trinity Lakeside Abbey: Keeping Space for Listening.

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