Getting the spiritual nourishment we need can be very difficult in the incredibly busy period from the end of November to December 25th: it can feel very much like ‘The Run Up to Christmas’ rather than Advent with the variety of different activities we have to attend. If you are caring or supporting someone it can be incredibly difficult to find any time at all to reflect on what Advent means to us and that can leave us worn out and feeling spiritually tired. If you are looking for a flexible way to reflect during this important time of the year then I highly recommend ‘Let the Wilderness Bloom!’ which is Northampton Diocese’s Advent Retreat.
As previously this is led by Avril Baigent and Fr John Udris and it comprises 4 sessions which can all be viewed as recordings or podcasts after they have taken place. To say that these are beautiful and an amazing way to spend an hour is an understatement: every aspect is designed to help you connect with God from the music, to the content and the slides, which Fr John has created using pictures from his own trip to the Holy Land. I have had the privilege of watching the first 2 sessions and as someone involved in supporting individuals with barriers to learning I found the topics particularly moving.
The sessions are based on St John the Baptist and reflect on the Wilderness of the Desert hence the titles of the first 2 sessions are Silence and Solitude: for some children and young people who face barriers to learning silence and solitude are things that they seek and for some parents and carers it can be difficult to find silence and solitude amongst busy days and nights. I don’t want to spoil anything by sharing quotes from the sessions as I very much felt that the sessions were are gradual revealing of truth but if you do get a moment I highly recommend letting Avril and Fr John lead you into the desert because there is a great deal to be found there.
The first session can be found here:
The second session will be uploaded soon and if you want to join weeks 3 and 4 you can book here:
Thank you to Avril and Fr John for another great Advent retreat: these are an incredible resource and I’m very grateful to you both for sharing your talent and insight.
Remarkably & Wonderfully Made 