Photo was taken at Ennismore Retreat House, Montenotte, Cork (Irl)

A honeybee was still out and about earlier in the week gathering in nectar which is always so scarce and precious at this time of year.

Thought on Saturday – December – 30/11/2013

‘What are my hopes and goals for Advent? Where do I want to be in my faith journey, come Christmas day? American baseball legend Yogi Berra once said; ‘If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.’ What is the point of Advent, if we don’t end up somewhere different from where we started?’ ~Triona Doherty


The Toy Show which was a huge success last night on RTE is always the first indicator that Christmas is really fast approaching. The last few days of November also mark the beginning of our journey through Advent. It’s a word you won’t see in the Christmas catalogues or written anywhere in the shops. But that does not mean it’s not of any significance. Perhaps it is a misunderstood word. The word Advent comes from the Latin ‘adventus’, which can mean ‘coming’ or ‘journey’. I prefer the word journey because Advent leads us on a particular journey. It need not be a spectacular one but it is a journey that priorities time for ourselves and gives us time to ask what the message of Christmas can mean for us. Where would we like Jesus to be born in our lives this Christmas? What part of our journey at the moment needs healing and priority? If we rush through the next few weeks it won’t happen. Advent puts the brakes gently on, allowing us to slow down enough to make it happen.