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The Great Wait

Celtic Advent Meditation

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Join us for a contemplative journey through the sacred tradition of Celtic Christianity in "The Great Wait." This course invites participants to explore the four sacred readings from the Christmas Eve Vigil, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of scripture and meditation. The ancient Celts gathered around the fire on Christmas Eve to retell the key moments of the Birth of Jesus during different parts of the night. Each passage corresponds to the dance of darkness and light that surrounded the community as they told the ancient story of waiting for Christ anew.


Each week, we’ll reflect on one of the readings, engaging in thoughtful discussions that illuminate the themes of divine presence and the universal embrace of God's love made Incarnate in Jesus. Our time together will include a meditative sit, where we allow the wisdom of the scriptures to resonate within our hearts.


To deepen your exploration, journal prompts will be provided, encouraging personal reflection and insight into how these themes connect to your own spiritual journey. Together, we’ll contemplate the ways God reaches out to all people and fosters a deeper understanding of hope, anticipation, and community during this sacred season.


Experience the stillness and renewal of Advent as we await the extraordinary gift of Christmas.


Weekly Schedule- 2 pm EST the Sundays of Advent:

12/1 - The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining

12/8 - The Rev. Canon Jane Gober

12/15 - The Rev. Kristen Ostendorf

12/22 - The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining


Zoom registration can be found on the course page


Can't make the live sessions? No worries! Replays will be available within a few days.

Starts December 1st, 2024

Membership Community

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining

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Hillary currently serves as the first woman Rector of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Gladwyne, PA. She teaches both on The Hive as well as seminary classes and is a sought after retreat leader. As a writer, Raining has published in both academia and ecclesia. She is the author of Joy in Confession and co-author with Amy Dolan of Faith with a Twist. She holds a B.A. with honors in Religion and Psychology from Moravian College, a Masters of Divinity from Yale and the Institute of Sacred Music and is a graduate from Drew University with a Doctorate in Ministry. Raining is also a yoga teacher, bee keeper, and environmentalist.


To learn more about Hillary, visit her personal website here.

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