The old year runs away from me.
I hang onto her sleeve
but she shakes me loose.
where does the old year go
when the new year comes?

She slips away into memories,
falls into the crevice of wishes
and ought-to-have-dones.
she waits no longer upon promises,
turns her back on might-have-been.

The elves of the old year step in,
pack up the struggles, store the joys,
tuck them away in the bulging box,
spreading them out on the psyche’s floor.

Today: I prepare interiorly for the new year.

Source: Out of the Ordinary, p. 147

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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“Lift up, o gates, your lintels” (Ps 24:7).

Through metaphor, the psalmist encourages us
to make more room in our hearts
for the magnitude of God’s love to enter.
God’s entrance needs much openness.
It is the expansive heart
that has a large doorway of welcome
the big heart that has an entrance
through which God’s grace can easily move.

Gateway to Heaven,
your love is wide and deep.
May the doorway of my heart
always be large enough to welcome you.
Come enter in.

Today: I expand the doorway of my heart.

Source: Inviting God In, p. 36

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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Source of divine Light,

Emmanuel, God-with-us,

your Radiant Love

illuminated our waiting world

with the surprise

of your Bethlehem birth.

Each year since then

we celebrate this astonishing event,

rejoicing in your coming anew,

not as a newborn Babe,

but as the hidden Presence of divinity

contained within each of us.

To our great astonishment,

we have become your dwelling place.

We are now your Bethlehem.

Today: I rejoice in being a dwelling place of divinity.

Source: Out of the Ordinary, p. 45

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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Christmas.
Memory of the Great Birthing,
the Holy One emerging
from the womb of Mary,

coming with a heart
wide enough
to embrace the one and the many
now
with the fullness of acceptance.

Christmas.
More than a memory.

Invitation:
embrace the one and the many
now
with the same wide love.

Today: I prayerfully embrace the one and the many.

Source: Prayer Seeds, p. 7

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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That first look into your mother’s eyes,
The love you beheld looking back at you.
Were you both enthralled with each other?
Her young arms that cradled you safely
Would embrace you again at your death,
But this painful part of your life was hidden
As you rested in her complete attention.
Son of Mary, child of a pure-hearted mother,
You are with me from birth through death,
Holding me the same way your mother held you.

Today: The Son of Mary beholds me with love.

Source: Fragments of Your Ancient Name, December 26

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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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.
https://www.avemariapress.com/products/anchors-for-the-soul

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.
https://www.avemariapress.com/products/anchors-for-the-soul