Enter the Joy: Christmas Stories from Then and Now
Struggling to find the joy in the chaos of the world? Join us for this early Advent series that brings to life stories of the truths of our lives.
Five-part series online, Wednesday evenings
November 8, 15, 29, December 6 and 13, 2023
6:00 pm - 7:30 PM CT
Presenter: David Miller
NO COST - Funded in part by a legacy gift from The Estate of Dr. Grace Brame
Although the event is no cost, you must REGISTER BY NOON ON WED., NOV. 7 TO RECEIVE ZOOM LINK.
Stories bear the truth of our lives. They reveal our hopes and fears, our needs and longings. In blessed moments, they carry us home into the Love who comes to us at Christmas and fresh every morning. Our Advent retreat will carry you into the stories of Christmas from the pages of the Bible and contemporary life, helping you feel and enter the joy God intends for you in this and every season. Contemporary stories will be paired with biblical stories each week, stirring your heart to remember, share and savor your own stories of the God who is pleased to come to you. Each session will include a presentation followed by time for personal reflection and group sharing.
Week 1 (Nov. 8) - The joy of our longing
Week 2 (Nov. 15) - The joy of seeing holy beauty
Week 3 (Nov. 29) - The joy of holy spaces
Week 4 (Dec. 6) - The joy of holding the One who holds you
Week 5 (Dec. 13) - The joy of basking in the light who shines
About the Presenter:
David L. Miller has served Christ’s Church as a pastor, journalist, author and retreat leader. He currently directs a small group through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola as a partner in Christos’ Ignatian Spirituality program. He studied Christian spirituality at Catholic Theological Union, Loyola University and The Claret Center, all in Chicago. He was a senior and executive editor of The Lutheran Magazine before becoming the first Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is the author of Friendship with Jesus, A Way to Pray the Gospel of Mark, an exploration of Ignatian Contemplation. He blogs at prayingthemystery.blogspot.com. David and his wife, Dixie, live in Downers Grove, IL.