nests: round, full of warmth
 softness in the welcoming center,
a circle of earth’s tiny goodness,
flown from the far corners,
patiently pieced together,
and hollowed into a home.

nests: awaiting the treasure of life,
simple, delicate dwelling places
from which song will eventually echo
and freedom give way to flight.

prepare the nest of the heart.
patch up the broken parts.
place more softness in the center.
sit and warm the home with prayer.
give the Christ a dwelling place.

Today: My heart is a welcoming nest.

Source: Fresh Bread, p. 150

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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Let the Star of Hope blaze through discouragement,
doubt, and disgruntledness.

Let the Star of Kindness radiate through
what you think, feel, and do today.

Let the Star of Remembrance glitter in thoughts
of good people and good deeds.

Let the Star of Laughter sparkle in your eyes
and in your smile.

Let the Star of Joy dance in the corners
of your heart that have forgotten to sing.

Let the Star of Patience permeate
that which you find difficult and irritating.

Today: The stars of Advent shine through me.

Source: Out of the Ordinary, p. 13

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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Why do I think that just because I pray faithfully
and follow certain spiritual practices during Advent
(or any other time) that God will immediately
be revealed to me?

Why do I get discouraged when I do not feel joy
and enthusiasm as Christmas nears?

I get caught off guard by my desire to control
my spiritual process.

Usually, I know very well that I can only be receptive,
that I cannot force God to act.

God will be revealed in the temple of my life
when it is God’s time for revelation,
not when I demand it.

Today: I await God’s revelation with confidence.

Source: Inviting God In, p. 27

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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Silent One,

as we move within our daily tasks
 clothe us with your peace-filled stillness.
With the cloak of your all-embracing quietness,
we can be assured of remaining focused
on what you desire of us.

May our external activities be such
that they enable us to stay mindful of you.
May our spirits be quiet enough to welcome you.
Slow us down when we want to speed up.

Move us toward that quiet pool of peace inside of us
where we can be attentive to your love.
In these days before Christmas,
draw us ever nearer to you in all we are and do.

Protect us from whatever drives peace away.
Anchor us in your love.

Today: I am anchored in divine love.

Source: Prayer Seeds, p. 6

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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Great Mystery,
For many years in my journey of life
I have searched for a deeper meaning,
One that gives purpose and direction.
I have learned that in every experience
And in each person who comes my way,
In theologies, philosophies, psychologies,
And in every form of spirituality and prayer,
I find another pebble of truth on the path.
All lead me to discover who I am and why:
To enter into the fullness of union with you.

Today: I watch for “pebbles” to lead me into fuller union.

Source: Fragments of Your Ancient Name, September 29

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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As I stand in my own small space of the planet,
reveling in the power and beauty of the heavens,
I feel a great unity with all beings.
I know that somewhere there is a herdsman
in the Sahara Desert who is also gazing
at the stars of our common universe.
I know there is a lamb in New Zealand
romping in sunlight that also bathes my skin.
I know there is a woman in India
who is going to sleep under the same moon I am.
I know there is a cactus blooming in Mexico
under the same sky as mine.
I know that all of us are drinking in the wind
and living under the beauty of the heavens.
I know that all of this is a dance of oneness
amid the bounty of the skies, and I am grateful.

Today: I walk with a sense of oneness with all life.

Source: The Cosmic Dance, p. 46

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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Elizabeth was a wise woman,

not only because of her age,
but because of the way she perceived life.
Her wisdom is evident in her greeting to Mary.
Elizabeth knew there was a deeper message
for her when she felt the baby kicking in her womb.

As Christmas draws near, we can forget God’s nearness
as we rush around with last-minute preparations.
We need to slow down and catch Elizabeth’s wisdom.
She experienced a special moment and recognized it
as an opportunity to sense God’s nearness.
She knew how much strength and comfort
 there was in that awareness.
That’s what led her to trust so strongly
and to love so deeply.

Today: I stay alert for signs of God’s nearness.

Source: Inviting God In, p. 33

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
https://www.avemariapress.com/products/anchors-for-the-soul

I look at how Advent gets lost “in the Christmas rush.”
The messages are all around me:
“Buy this and you will be happy;
buy that and you will prove your love.”
Sharing presence is hard to do in a culture
that keeps promoting material things
as a sign of how much we love others.
Sharing presence is difficult in an environment
that encourages us to be as busy as possible
so that we will be rich, successful, and important—
and able to buy more things.
When we are busy, rushed, and pressed,
it is easy to miss awareness and union
with those around us and in our larger world.

Today: I give the gift of my presence with each encounter.

Source: Out of the Ordinary, p. 2

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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Light-Bearer
Eternal Lamp of Love,
remind me often of how much radiance comes
from the glow of one small candle flame.
When my spiritual window is heavily clouded,
and your abiding love seems far from me,
restore my belief in your vibrant presence.
When I doubt my ability to be a bearer of your light
shine your truth and wisdom into my faltering spirit.

Thank you for the illuminated beings
who have touched my life with their goodness.
Your light shining through them
has inspired me and filled me with spiritual energy.
Assure me that I can also be a Light-bearer for others,
a clear window of your eternal starlight.

Today: I am inspired to be a Light-bearer.

Source: Prayers to Sophia, p. 54

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
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God of exiles, keep calling us home.
You know the yearnings of our hearts.
You also know how easily
we can lose our way.
May this Advent season be a time
of coming home to the best of who we are.
May our personal homecomings influence
all the earth.

We walk this day with hopeful hearts,
believing that your justice and compassion
will bring comfort and freedom
to all who are in exile.

Today: I pray for refugees and immigrants.

Source: May I Have This Dance?, p. 194

This reflection from Anchors for the Soul: Daily Wisdom for Inspiration and Guidance by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.
https://www.avemariapress.com/products/anchors-for-the-soul