Our Guiding Light

This week of advent I focus on the Guiding Light of God. My image of God is the Creator Spirit of earth and sky, and the Love and Light that lives in all people. I think of Light as Truth, with a capitol T.

I try to live always awake and listening for the message of love, and always feeling a connection to Creation, but I often get distracted. I often feel disconnected, disengaged, and detached. This week I plan to take some time to heal my relationship with my Guiding Light.

Agenda:
1. Read a novena

2. Set an intention

3. Prayer journal queries

4. Watch Hogfather with a Friend

1. Read a novena:

I've been reading this Creation Novena from the Indian Catholic Matters site:

Day 4: A Prayer for the Land:
Creator God, we give thanks for the land. Thank You for the confidence and comfort we feel from the earth beneath bare feet. Thank You for the earth that sustains us, as it is the home of the plants and animals from which we draw sustenance. Thank You for the many uses of minerals in our lives—uses that shelter us, heal us, and connect us.

As we mine Your Earth beyond its capacity, as mountains are carved to nothing and rich soil turns to dust, give us a sense of measure. Help us see when we’ve gone far enough—when we’ve taken enough. As we anticipate Jesus’ birth, help us find a new direction.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

2. Set an intention:

This week I plan to take some time to heal my relationship with my Guiding Light, and I'm going to follow my Medicine Art process. My ultimate intention with Medicine Art is to use my creative fire to forge a stronger connection between me and the subject. Artists have been doing this for centuries.

The first step is to define the project: That requires some research, meditation, and thought. 

1. I might start by listing or naming the subject(s) of my Art;
2. then dive into the science and folklore to figure out the importance of the subject;
3. and then meditate on my relationship with the subject;
4. then I can set a complete intention for how I want to heal our relationship, and some ideas for how I might start to do that.

I've found its best to narrow the subject down to a relatable entity (well - the subject is God... ), and set a compact intention for a season or even for a week of time, so that I'm not overwhelmed. Here's what I came up with:

My intention is to take time each day this week to light a candle and listen to my Guiding Light; to ask thoughtful questions; to observe and make note of any nudges I receive; and to plan and prepare to make a creative expression of my relationship to God, because creating a stronger connection to my Guiding Light will help me to transcend earthly needs and wants and follow my True path.

3. Prayer journal queries:

I started a new prayer journal, which for me is a way to speak to my Inner Guide. This week I'll light a candle and spend time each morning in quiet prayer.

Today I will ask these queries:

What's burning, warm and fiery, in my life right now?

What would I (should I) like to kindle?

What advise do I ask?

What people in my life can I hold in the Light? 

How can I express my relationship with the Guide?

 

4. Watch Hogfather:

Watching the TV version of Terry Pratchett's classic Hogfather each year near the solstice has become a new tradition for me. The Hogfather is a mythical creature akin to Father Christmas, who grants children's wishes on Hogswatchnight (December 32) and brings them presents. Except, this year he gets kidnapped and Death fills in for him.

One review says, "As a first step in destroying humanity, evil men ... try to undermine belief in Hogfather by abducting him. The plot is ruined by Death who takes Hogfather's place in his sleigh drawn by pigs. Part parody of Christmas, part meditation on the role of faith."

The Hogfather highlights the benefits and drawbacks of believing in something.