This Prayer Playlist is focused on cultivating the virtue of waiting in joyful hope during this Advent season.
We know that light breaks into darkness as God is born in our hearts.
Below you will find suggestions for praying through these Advent weeks as we await the coming of Christ.
(You can find more Prayer Playlists for adults HERE.)
Here are the links to the Mass readings for the four weeks of Advent this year:
First Sunday of Advent, 11/29/20
Second Sunday of Advent, 12/6/20
Third Sunday of Advent, 12/13/20
Fourth Sunday of Advent, 12/20/20
Here are some more Scripture passages to pray with in a spirit of HOPE:
Advent is a wonderful time to read and reflect on the infancy narratives, the stories surrounding Jesus' birth. You can find them:
And here are some blogs and articles for Advent:
Advent Waiting in Darkness by Richard Rohr, OFM
A Guided Tour Through Advent from Franciscan Media
For shopping inspiration, try Busted Halo's Ultimate Catholic Gift Guide 2020 Edition
Also from Busted Halo: 10 Meaningful Advent Traditions to Try This Year
Advent Advice from America Magazine:
This Advent Season, Listen to Your Hometown Prophets
Advent Tells Us It's Okay to Hope
Get the scoop on Advent in 2 Minutes from BustedHalo.
Father Mike Schmitz talks about What Is Hope and Why Do You Need It?
And here he is again talking about how Christmas is a Time For Hope.
Learn how to make your Advent truly meaningful with the Advent Conspiracy.
Explore the four Advent Conspiracy themes more deeply in this video series:
Here are some songs for praying with hope:
Danny Gokey, Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
Hillsong Worship, All My Hope
Tenth Avenue North, I Have This Hope
And here's some Advent music for waiting in joyful hope for the coming of Christ:
Audrey Assad and Chris Tomlin, Winter Snow Song
Audrey Assad and Paul Cardall, In the Bleak Midwinter
Amy Grant, Breath of Heaven
Francesca Battistelli, Be Born In Me
Matt Maher's album The Advent of Christmas
especially good tracks:
Here are some things to reflect on during your prayer time. They can also serve as journal prompts.
What are some things you are waiting for in your life right now?
What does it mean for you to wait in Joyful Hope?
What are your hopes for the coming year?
What is the deep desire of your heart? Can you open your heart to God as you hold this desire close, but with open hands?
What's one thing you can commit to do this Advent to prepare your heart for Jesus?
(or maybe, what's one thing you can give yourself permission to NOT do this Advent to free up space for Jesus)?
Try these 3-minute retreats from Loyola Press:
Nothing Is Impossible With God
If you're looking for a deeper prayer experience this Advent, you might like this online retreat from Pray As You Go:
Living the Magnificat is a series of five 10-15 minute podcasts all about Mary's prayer as she said YES to God.
In this season, as we wait in joyful hope for Christ, God born in human vulnerability and poverty, we reach out with love to those among us who stuggle to meet basic needs. You can help by:
Learning about our call to Shelter the Homeless from the Ignatian Works of Love project.
Contributing to our parish's outreach efforts this holiday season. To sponsor one of the 180 families we support through our Christmas Basket program, contact Margie Benza at [email protected] or 248-2427x244. We are also in need of volunteers for organizing, wrapping, assembly and delivery.
Advent and Christmas at Transfig: Home for the Holidays!
There are so many ways to connect and pray through this season together:
Our parish has put together a digital Advent calendar this year! You can follow along daily by following us on Instagram or Facebook. (There are many more Advent activities to be found on our YouTube channel as well.)
Celebrate Advent at home with our "Hygee" for Your Holiday weekly prayer cards. “Hygge” (pronounced “hoo-ga”) is a Danish concept loosely translated as “the art of coziness.” You can pick up a set of cards at church or download and print your own set HERE for black and white and HERE for color. Each card will guide you through a Scripture passage, a reflection question, and a hygge practice to help you celebrate the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Read more: Advent in Denmark, A Lesson in Hygee.
Sign up here for your Christmas Eve Livestream Watch Kit. This year, we want to give you a way to experience Christmas at Transfiguration wherever you may be. We are offering these Watch and Worship kits to help bring the feeling of Transfiguration home to you. The kit is full of treats and goodies to help you feel connected to our parish family even if you are worshiping at home this year.
Ignatian Spirituality is offering an online Advent retreat with reflections by Vinita Hampton Wright.
Small Simple Ways to Open Your Mind to God During Advent
Small Simple Ways to Open Your Heart to God During Advent
Small Simple Ways to Open Your Spirit to God During Advent
Virtual Evening of Reflection from Andy Otto at God In All Things: Advent is Our Story , Tues. Dec. 8, 7-8:30pm
Loyola on the Potomac Retreat House is offering a free Tuesday night Zoom prayer series on An Advent of Hope.
Ignatius House has an online library of prayer experiences consisting of video talks from a retreat director, handouts, and music. Courses are 50% off through the end of the year (so you can purchase a 12 module course for less than $30).
(You can find more Prayer Playlists for adults HERE.)