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Preparing for Advent – 2022

Advent Moments Issue 23

Preparing for Advent

Give the gift of an expanded heart

An expanded heart – I resonate with that phrase and what it implies: a sense of something bigger than ourselves, a wide embrace of another, room enough within one’s self to extend a welcome without regard for colour, class or creed.

An expanded heart is going to be my motivation during this Advent season as I renew my desire to welcome Christ in every person. I hope my heart can grow wide enough to be hospitable, open enough to accept those different from me, generous enough to do what it takes to be kind, and large enough to spontaneously extend compassion (Joyce Rupp: Return to the Root. 2021. 218).

Biblical Scene - Birth Of Jesus In Bethlem

ID 168049105 © Oliver Peters | Dreamstime.com

Reflection

Where can you give the gift of an expanded heart in this Advent season?
How can an expanded heart make it onto your Christmas giving list?