Young Adult
This month I invite you to pray with music because of the peace that songs like this can bring. The theme is dealing with grief and loss as we anticipate Christmas this Advent season. For many, the holidays are a struggle as they miss a loved one who's place at the table is empty. Grief can come to us in many ways, loss of loved one, broken friendships or relationships, sickness, mental health issues, or anxiety. On the page we want to look at how the season of Advent can help us through some of the more difficult times of our lives.
"Trust in You"
Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wondering
Never changes what You see
I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior King of the fight
No matter what I face You’re by my side
(chorus)
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
Truth is You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less
(chorus)
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wondering
Never changes what You see
I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior King of the fight
No matter what I face You’re by my side
(chorus)
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
Truth is You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less
(chorus)
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
(bridge)
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The Rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go
You’ve not already stood
(chorus)
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The Rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go
You’ve not already stood
(chorus)
When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Hope and Joy are some of the strongest themes of Advent. The image of a light in the darkness can be so very meaningful for those who feel like the darkness is all around them. The first article I present is a great resource for those who are walking with someone who is grieving. How do respond to best help those we love? The example of the OKC bombings my not hit home for most people, but there is so much violence in our world and communities today that it is easy for us to relate to what he is sharing.
Grief : The Journey Takes Time
At the end of that article the author reconmends these timeless books for anyone who is currently expeirincing grief:
A Grief Observed; by C.S. Lewis; Bantam Books. Lewis, one of the great Christian writers of the twentieth century, wrote this in a notebook as a sort of diary while grieving the death of his wife, Joy. Their story was recently the subject of the Major motion picture, The Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
Man's Search for Meaning; by Viktor E. Frankl; Washington Square Press; Everyone in the world should read this book. Right now. Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist, describes his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, and offers insights of breathtaking beauty and extraordinary wisdom into the meaning of human suffering.
Making Sense Out of Suffering; by Peter Kreeft; Servant Books; A philosophical yet deeply human and compassionate book on the phenomenon of human suffering, examining how the world's great religions approach this profound mystery, finally reaching the conclusion that God's answer to the mystery of evil and suffering is a person: Jesus Christ, who is, Himself the very "tears of God." Also by Kreeft, and highly recommended are his books, Love is Stronger than Death, Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing, and Three Philosophies of Life, all published by Ignatius Press.
Hind's Feet on High Places; by Hannah Hurnard; Living Books; an allegory of the spiritual life and the role suffering plays in leading us to the "high places" of spiritual insight and joy.
A Grief Observed; by C.S. Lewis; Bantam Books. Lewis, one of the great Christian writers of the twentieth century, wrote this in a notebook as a sort of diary while grieving the death of his wife, Joy. Their story was recently the subject of the Major motion picture, The Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
Man's Search for Meaning; by Viktor E. Frankl; Washington Square Press; Everyone in the world should read this book. Right now. Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist, describes his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, and offers insights of breathtaking beauty and extraordinary wisdom into the meaning of human suffering.
Making Sense Out of Suffering; by Peter Kreeft; Servant Books; A philosophical yet deeply human and compassionate book on the phenomenon of human suffering, examining how the world's great religions approach this profound mystery, finally reaching the conclusion that God's answer to the mystery of evil and suffering is a person: Jesus Christ, who is, Himself the very "tears of God." Also by Kreeft, and highly recommended are his books, Love is Stronger than Death, Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing, and Three Philosophies of Life, all published by Ignatius Press.
Hind's Feet on High Places; by Hannah Hurnard; Living Books; an allegory of the spiritual life and the role suffering plays in leading us to the "high places" of spiritual insight and joy.
This next blog shares a first hand account of someone who suffers with anxiety and how there struggles help them to more deeply understand the message of hope that Advent brings. Though this site is for teens, the insights and reflections can be relatatble for people of all ages.
Hoping against Hope
"Grief plants us firmly at the foot of the cross. It unites us to Christ in a way that few other things can, and when we turn that suffering over to him, it gives us the grace to go on. Being Catholic we know that our grief is not without purpose and that our endurance of these times goes toward our eternal salvation." - Mary Ellen Barrett
Finally, this video is Fr, Mike's take on the JOY of the Advent season! He also touches on the end times as a focus for our Advent season. We are preparing not only for Christmas, but for Jesus to come again, and into our hearts each day!
The biggest thing we need to do is to be aware of those in our families and communities who are grieving during the holiday season. Walk with them and support them however you can. That can be as simple as talking about their loss, and saying that you are praying for them.
If you yourself are grieving, make sure to take some extra time to take care of you as we close the year! Treat yo self! More importantly, if you do need to seek professional help, do not be afraid to. Even Christ asked for help in his time of need.
For more information on Advent and these 15 ways to celebrate click HERE! |
Finally, here are 15 ways to celebrate Advent!
1. Advent Wreath 2. Advent Dinners 3. Prepare Seasonal Food 4. Advent Devotional Reading 5. Special Prayers 6. Advent Calendars 7. Advent Music 8. Nativity Scenes 9. Jesse Tree 10. Advent Penance Services 11. Small Sacrifices for the Christ Child 12. Almsgiving 13. Celebrate the Advent Saint Feast Days 14. Christmas Tree Blessing 15. Adopt a Cultural Tradition |