Advent is a sacred season of preparing space for Christ to come into our lives. Yet in life’s busyness, sometimes I find it difficult to embrace fully the spiritual depth of Advent. Ignatian spirituality offers a contemplative and transformative way to deepen our experience of Advent.
The first week of Advent begins with a message of hope. To live the first week of Advent the Ignatian way, we could weave in two Ignatian practices: the Examen and discernment. Through a daily Examen, a prayerful reflection that helps us become aware of God’s presence in our daily activities, we may reflect on where God is inviting us to trust more deeply, even in moments of uncertainty. Through this lens, hope emerges in ordinary moments that mirror the humility of the manger, moments such as the kindness of a stranger, a safe space for a conversation, the quiet beauty of winter light, or the gift of a new day.
Advent discernment that moves us toward hope is not about grand gestures. We might discern what draws us closer to God (consolation) and what pulls us away from God (desolation). Trusting God and choosing to wait with our hands and hearts open, we pray that the God of hope (Romans 15:13) brings us to a place of peace.
The second week of Advent highlights peace, stillness, and the presence of God even within the daily noise. To live the second week of Advent the Ignatian way, we might weave in two more core Ignatian practices: imaginative prayer and finding God in all things. In the Ignatian tradition, these two practices invite us to slow down and listen. We are invited to be attentive, even in conflict, which is not always easy. To make things a little easier, Ignatian spirituality encourages us to use our imagination when we pray to create interior space, despite the noise. We might imagine walking down a crowded street with Jesus and trying to model how centered and present he is. Maybe he does not say anything, but he gently smiles at everyone who walks by. Maybe he takes a deep breath and notices a breeze across his face, and then we remember his words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)
The Advent season then pivots toward joy during the third week. This is a joy we experience when we savor the goodness of God in our lives. We might practice the art of savoring by pausing in gratitude for God’s goodness and appreciating the gifts we have received. Living Advent the Ignatian way is about deepening our relationship with God in the here and now and realizing that God wants us to feel a joy that is profound and complete. For those who experience loneliness during this time of the year, this might be comforting.
The last week of Advent is a call to love. Ignatian spirituality invites us to discern and then act from a place of love. The Ignatian way prompts us to ask where God is inviting us to be Christ’s hands and feet today. This might take the form of reaching out to someone who needs our compassionate presence, advocating for justice, or choosing to say yes. This week, we might ask ourselves, How is God inviting me to love more freely and more generously?
Living Advent the Ignatian way means seeking God’s presence, not only in prayer, but in the world around us. It is an invitation to receive Christ’s transformative love. It is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and nurture a sense of wonder as we prepare our hearts to make space for Christ to be born anew in us.
May we embrace the Ignatian invitation to reflect, to notice, to discern, and to love. May we find God in every moment, especially in the waiting. Amen.
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash.
