Category Archives: Advent 2022

Advent and Christmas content

Day 13: How Can I Keep from Singing?

The presence of God is everywhere.
The more I am aware of this,
the more joy my heart contains.
The better I listen and the more closely
I look at where Love is present,
the happier I am,
the more kindness I generate,
the greater peace I experience.
It doesn’t take much to sing joyfully
to God—simply a human heart
delighting in the beauty and miracles
inherent in every single day.
Today: My spirit sings joyfully.

Source: God’s Enduring Presence, p. 79

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

Day 12: A Season of Hopeful Growth

Advent is a season of hopeful growth,
a time when we can bring to God
what is wounded in us
and ask for restoration.
It is a good time to pause and ask:
What is there within my life
that I need to bring to the feet of Jesus for healing?
Has any part of my life gone lame?
Has my enthusiasm waned?
My trust in others broken?
My energy to do good depleted?
Have I been blind to things
that need tending in my spirit?

Today: I ask for restoration.

Source: Inviting God In, p. 22

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

Day 11: Welcome the One Who Comes

Advent beckons to us.
Be still.
Be alert.

Cry out to God.
Cry out to be open and receptive.
Sharpen your awareness
of the One who dwells within.

Open up.
Hollow out.
Receive.
Welcome the One who comes.

Today: I am alert to Advent’s beckoning.

Source: Fresh Bread, p. 152

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

Day 10: Word Made Flesh

You came to dwell among us long ago.
No matter how dull and lifeless
or how happy and fulfilling our lives may be,
there is always need for a deeper awareness
of your hopeful presence.
There are signs of your coming,
signs of your continued presence
everywhere in our lives.
Freshen up our vision
so we can recognize your dwelling
within and among us, as we move hurriedly
in this busy season of the year.

Today: I look for the Word Made Flesh.

Source: Out of the Ordinary, p. 8

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

Day 9: The Place of Growth

The Place of Growth
in the dark days of my heart
I do not wait to walk
until light lingers
for I know not
when it shall come.

I go instead
stumbling into darkness,
searching for a road
straining to see a way.

darkness—
it is the place of growth,
and I am ripe for it.

Today: I remember that both light and darkness are needed for true growth.

Source: Dear Heart, Come Home, pp. 39–40

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

Day 8: Waiting

Certain words are employed so often
during our liturgical seasons
that they can easily be ignored
due to overuse.
“Waiting” is one of these words.
What does waiting have to do
with longing for God’s coming?
When we wait in tough times,
we are in a special God-moment.
We know we can’t “go it alone.”
The One who came into this world
is our Peace-Bringer.
As we wait, we turn to our God
and cry out for Peace to come
and enfold us.

Today: I wait for Peace to enfold me.

Source: Inviting God In, p. 20

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

Day 7: A Listening Heart

Listener of our Deepest Self,
the ear of your heart
is forever attentive to us.
We call and you respond.
We turn and you embrace.
We look and you gaze.
We search and you lead.
We lose and you find.
We wander and you return us home.
Grant us the grace
to be a reflection of your presence.

Today: I open the ear of my heart to the Listener.

Source: Prayer Seeds, p. 129

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

Day 6: Little Glimmers of Hope

God of hope,
you never stop believing in us.
You are always present with us,
offering assurance that you care for us,
encouraging us to not lose hope.
Help me find little glimmers of hope
in even the worst of days.
Inspire me to find something to believe in
when it seems there is nothing left
for me to hold on to.

Today: I keep my focus on little glimmers of hope.

Source: May I Walk You Home?, p. 65

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

Day 5: The Disturber

The Disturber
Wake us up
To what needs doing,
And what needs undoing.
Wake us up
To what must be let go,
And what to draw closer.
Wake us up to what enlarges love
And what diminishes it.
In all parts of our life,
Disturb and wake us up!

Today: I become wider awake.

Source: Fragments of Your Ancient Name, April 12

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

Day 4: A Presence of Peace

Guardian of my Soul,
guide me on my way this day.
Keep me safe from harm.
Deepen my relationship with you,
your earth, and all your family.
Strengthen your love within me
that I may be a presence of your peace
in our world.

Today: I pray to be a presence of peace.

Source: Walk in a Relaxed Manner, p. 15

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