Merry Christmas, friends! In this episode, we conclude our four part Advent series on the book The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. Today, we focus on part four and discuss the sections on Our Lady Seeking, Our Seeking, The Way, and The Assumption. We reflect on the beautiful reality that when Mary looks at us, she sees her Son and how we are also called to not only become aware of Christ’s presence within ourselves but also to seek His presence within those around us. In order to do this, we need to first prepare our hearts to fully accept Christ and we chat about the different ways we can become more receptive to His love. Thank you for journeying with us this Advent season. We look forward to seeing you on January 15th for the start of Season 14!

Heather’s One Thing - The moment when no one else is awake and getting to sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy the Christmas tree lights

Heather’s Other One Thing - The movie The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse (watch the trailer here)

Heather’s Other Other One Thing - The Rescue Project especially Fr. John Ricardo’s videos on the Kerygma

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Nourishing White Bean and Lemon Soup

Michelle’s One Thing - Charlie Brown Christmas Special

Journal Questions:

• How can I bring light into the darkness this Christmas season?
• How can I make a gift of myself this Christmas season?
• What painful memories or grief has surfaced for me this Christmas and Advent season? Where is God in those memories and grief?
• What is the most unsuspecting place where Christ wants to reveal Himself to me?

Discussion Questions:

• How were you present to the present moment this Advent?
• How were you not present to the present moment this Advent?
• In what ways are you tempted to block the Holy Spirit throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons?
• How has our Blessed Mother encountered you throughout this book study?
• What is the Holy Spirit prompting you to do this season to more freely receive the Holy Spirit?

Quote to Ponder:

“It was another Advent, a withdrawing and folding upon the Life within her life; but a withdrawing that did not separate her from other people but only brought her closer to them; for she had found her Christ in them all.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God, page 66)

Scripture for Lectio:

"I will arise now and go about the city through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him." (Song of Songs 3:2)

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