Advent 3 2015 01 Monday

<Our notions about happiness entrap us. We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy. We fail to see the opportunity for joy that is right in front of us when we are caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form. To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. When you are born a lotus flower, be a beautiful lotus flower, don't try to be a magnolia flower. If you crave acceptance and recognition and try to change yourself to fit what other people want you to be, you will suffer all your life. True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, having confidence in yourself. ― Thích Nhất Hạnh, The Art of Power>

ADVENT 3: Thursday: Thy Holy Flame Bestowing

Come down, O love divine, seek Thou this soul of mine and visit it with Thine own ardor glowing. O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear and kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.  O let it freely burn, til earthly passions turn to dust and ashes in its heat consuming; and let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.  Let holy charity mine outward vesture be, and lowliness become mine inner clothing; true lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part, and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.  And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long shall far outpass the power of human telling; For none can guess its grace, till she become the place wherein the Holy Spirit makes Her dwelling.

Words: Bianco da Siena (15thC) 

Translation: Richard Frederick Littledale 

Music: Down AmpneyWilliams