Wednesday 31 December 2025 Today is Wednesday the 31st of December, in the season of Christmas. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium: Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always. Entering into prayer today, acknowledge the ways you are seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in your life, gently guiding you in truth and peace and love. Laetetur cor quaerentium Dominum: quaerite ...
Dec 31, 2025•11 min
Tuesday 30 December 2025 Today is Tuesday the 30th of December, in the season of Christmas. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Uqinisil’Ubaba: After travelling the whole world, I still come to the same truth that I left at home: God is truth! So why do you doubt? Don’t doubt, hold on to him and place your hope in him. Listen to God because he is truth. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John. 1 John 2:12-17 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins...
Dec 30, 2025•13 min
Monday 29 December 2025 Today is Monday the 29th of December, the feast of Saint Thomas Becket, in the season of Christmas. Jon Guerra sings, ‘I See the Birds’. How does this song speak to you of God’s care for you? Do not be anxious about your life I heard you say to me You dress the lilies You leave the weeds The sower of the seed Am I in charge of my own mind Or is it in charge of me? I see the birds up in the air I know you feed them I know you care So won't you teach me How I mean more to y...
Dec 29, 2025•13 min
Sunday 28 December 2025 Today is Sunday the 28th of December, the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Josh Garrels sings, ‘What Child is This?’ Take a moment to ponder the new-born Jesus, who entered into our world in such a fragile way. What Child is this who laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? Why lay He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians fear for sinners here The silent wo...
Dec 28, 2025•13 min
Saturday 27 December 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. As you settle to prayer, pause for a moment and notice how you are … how you honestly are … and let God respond with love to you … you are totally, completely, deeply loved. This week we have been invited to share the experiences of those involved in Jesus’ birth … to be people who believe what God might do … to speak of God’s working in our time… to gaze upon a newborn who is our good news of God’s love. What of this has left you most th...
Dec 27, 2025•9 min
Friday 26 December 2025 Today is Friday the 26th of December, the feast of Saint Stephen. The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Benedictus’. God in all your tender compassion The dawn from on high, it will break on us Shining on those living in shadow Guiding our feet into the way of peace You will guide our feet You will guide our feet You will guide our feet into peace Today’s reading is from the Book of Acts. Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the peo...
Dec 26, 2025•12 min
Thursday 25 December 2025 Today is Thursday the 25th of December, the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. The University of Johannesburg Choir sings, ‘My Lord Has Come’ by Will Todd. As you listen, take a moment to place yourself in the Nativity scene... let your senses experience the moment in its fullness... Shepherds, called by angels, called by love and angels: No place for them but a stable. My Lord has come. Sages, searching for stars, searching for love in heaven; No place for them but a s...
Dec 25, 2025•13 min
Wednesday 24 December 2025 Today is Wednesday the 24th of December, in the 4th week of Advent. The Portsmouth Grammar School Chamber Choir sing 'Lux Aurumque' by Eric Whitacre: “Light, warm and heavy as pure gold, and the angels sing softly to the newborn babe”. Can you hear the picture of Christ’s light in this song? Lux, Calida gravisque pura velut aurum Et canunt angeli molliter modo natum. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:67-79 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the ...
Dec 24, 2025•13 min
Tuesday 23 December 2025 Today is Tuesday the 23rd of December, in the 4th week of Advent. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’. What hopes and fears would you like Christ to meet with today? O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is giv'n So God impa...
Dec 23, 2025•13 min
Monday 22 December 2025 Today is Monday the 22nd of December, in the 4th week of Advent. The Cape Town Camerata sings, ‘My Siel Verheerlik Die Here’; a setting of the Magnificat, from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers sung in Afrikaans. We will pray with Mary's song today. How might you like to prepare for this time of prayer in your own way? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my S...
Dec 22, 2025•12 min
Sunday 21 December 2025 Today is Sunday the 21st of December, beginning the 4th week of Advent. SisterBrother sings, ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’. Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing. Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo. See him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise. Ma...
Dec 21, 2025•11 min
Saturday 20 December 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. This week, we’ve explored the invitation to trust God’s plans, surrender our control of events and learn to wait patiently for God to act. In the stillness, allow the Spirit to bring to mind your prayer times this week and the journey you’ve been on. Where have you felt closest to Jesus? Why was this? What did you experience? What has challenged, unsettled or disturbed you? When did you feel resistant to God? Tell God about these times. W...
Dec 20, 2025•9 min
Friday 19 December 2025 Today is Friday the 19th of December, in the 3rd week of Advent. Eliza King with Hillside Recording sings, ‘Come Thou Long Expected Jesus’. Can you make this your own song today? Come Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee Israel's strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art Dear desire of every nation Joy of every longing heart Born Thy people to deliver Born a child and yet a King ...
Dec 19, 2025•13 min
Thursday 18 December 2025 Today is Thursday the 18th of December, in the 3rd week of Advent. Juliano Ravanello sings the hymn Te Joseph Celebrent. As we prepare to pray with Joseph’s story of preparation for Jesus, let this music speak to you; let it help you build a picture of Joseph of Nazareth in your mind... Te Joseph celebrent agmina caelitum, te cuncti resonent Christiadum chori, qui, clarus meritis, iunctus es inclitae, casto foedere Virgini. Almo cum tumidam germine coniugem admirans dub...
Dec 18, 2025•13 min
Wednesday 17 December 2025 Today is Wednesday the 17th of December, in the 3rd week of Advent. Paul Zach and Liz Vice with The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘Isaiah (O Come)’. For those who walk in darkness The sun is rising, rising, rising The shadow dies Our anguish flies From dawn on high Oh, Lord Jesus, come! The yoke upon our shoulders Is finally breaking, breaking, breaking Our burdens gone In that bright dawn When He has come Oh, Lord Jesus, come! The Son to us is given And we are waiting, waiting,...
Dec 17, 2025•13 min
Tuesday 16 December 2025 Today is Tuesday the 16th of December, in the 3rd week of Advent. The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est: 'Wherever love is true, God is there.' Become aware that God is present here, with you: the God who is love. Present, living, dwelling in every person around you, and in you. Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus no...
Dec 16, 2025•11 min
Monday 15 December 2025 Today is Monday the 15th of December, in the 3rd week of Advent. The Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles sing, ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’. Slow down as you step into this time of prayer today. Notice how your Advent journey is going... O Come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O Come, of all the nations King, The world awaits its ransoming. Remo...
Dec 15, 2025•12 min
Sunday 14 December 2025 Today is Sunday the 14th of December, beginning the 3rd week of Advent. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Waiting for the Dawn’. What is your prayer for the weary world today as we wait for the coming of Christ? What glimpses of hope do you see? Silent night, Holy night The stars are shining, for a weary world Silent night, Holy night Long lay the world, waiting for the dawn A glimpse of hope - a weary world rejoices For a new and glorious morn Emmanuel, Emmanuel Silent night, co...
Dec 14, 2025•12 min
Saturday 13 December 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Begin by placing yourself in God’s presence. Allow yourself to settle into stillness inviting God to be with you as you look back over your week. Today is the feast of St Lucy. Her name and her life radiated courage, generosity, and clarity of purpose. This light is a bright star in the Advent sky. Let your mind gently move through the days of the past week. Where did you see light today - moments of grace, kindness, insight, or peace? Wh...
Dec 13, 2025•10 min
Friday 12 December 2025 Today is Friday the 12th of December, in the 2nd week of Advent. The Gaudete Ensemble conducted by Eamonn Dougan sing 'O Sapientia' by Margaret Rizza. O Wisdom, Lord God Emmanuel, as I begin my time of prayer today, I acknowledge your wisdom, present here with me, now... Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:16-19 ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flu...
Dec 12, 2025•13 min
Friday 12 December 2025 Today is Friday the 12th of December, in the 2nd week of Advent. The Gaudete Ensemble conducted by Eamonn Dougan sing 'O Sapentia' by Margaret Rizza. O Wisdom, Lord God Emmanuel, as I begin my time of prayer today, I acknowledge your wisdom, present here with me, now... Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:16-19 ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flut...
Dec 12, 2025•13 min
Thursday 11 December 2025 Today is Thursday the 11th of December, in the 2nd week of Advent. One Hope Project sings, ‘What Child is This?’ How would you describe this child Jesus, the one for whom we are waiting in this season? What Child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ, the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary! Why ...
Dec 11, 2025•12 min
Wednesday 10 December 2025 Today is Wednesday the 10th of December, in the 2nd week of Advent. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium: Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always. Entering into prayer today, pause to recognise that you too, are seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in your life, gently guiding you in truth and peace and love. Laetetur cor quaerentium Dominum: qu...
Dec 10, 2025•13 min
Tuesday 9 December 2025 Today is Tuesday the 9th of December, in the 2nd week of Advent. Josh Garrels sings ‘Shepherd’s Song’. As we prepare to pray with the scripture of the Good Shepherd today, let your mind settle on a field of sheep – perhaps one you have seen recently... or go there in your imagination. Notice what draws your attention... This begins with a breath From the waters You were blessed Pushing through the pain and blood Into the arms of love And Your mother's face above Before Yo...
Dec 09, 2025•13 min
Monday 8 December 2025 Today is Monday the 8th of December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the 2nd week of Advent. The Brilliance sing ‘Mother of God’. Mary, full of grace The Lord your God is with thee Blessed are you to bless all the world Mary, peace is yours The Spirit is upon you You will be with child, do not fear Mother of God Your baby boy will grant us peace Your baby boy will grant us peace Word made flesh Born of virgin Mary Hope is in the world,...
Dec 08, 2025•13 min
Sunday 7 December 2025 Today is Sunday the 7th of December, the Second Sunday of Advent. The Portsmouth Grammar School Chamber Choir sings, ‘This Is The Truth Sent From Above’. This is the truth sent from above, The truth of God, the God of love. Therefore don’t turn me from your door, But hearken all, both rich and poor. The first thing which I do relate Is that God did man create; The next thing which to you I tell, Woman was made with man to dwell. And we were heirs to endless woes, Till God ...
Dec 07, 2025•13 min
Saturday 6 December 2025 Welcome to the Saturday Examen. Each week, we try to look back over the prayer of the last few days, so as to try and hear what God has been saying to you during these days. As you look back, can you see where and how God has been speaking to you? When did you find yourself really lifted up to God? We call this moment 'consolation', when you are keen to be doing whatever God is asking. What might God be saying to you here? Were there any moments when you felt utterly cas...
Dec 06, 2025•8 min
Friday 5 December 2025 Today is Friday the 5th of December, in the 1st week of Advent. Gungor featuring All Sons and Daughters sing 'Oh Light'. Oh light Come to reconcile Come in like a child Holy night Oh light Our hopes and all our fears Met within your sight Holy night Hallelujah God is with us Hallelujah A light has come Oh light God and man entwine Of earth and of divine Holy night Oh light Mending fractured earth The soul now felt its worth Holy night Hallelujah God is with us Hallelujah A...
Dec 05, 2025•12 min
Thursday 4 December 2025 Today is Thursday the 4th of December, in the 1st week of Advent. One Hope Project sings a version of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall: with the poor, and meek, and lowly, lived on earth our Sa...
Dec 04, 2025•13 min
Wednesday 3 December 2025 Today is Wednesday the 3rd of December, the feast of Saint Francis Xavier, in the 1st week of Advent. The Gaudete Ensemble conducted by Eamonn Dougan sing 'Veni Jesu' by Margaret Rizza. As we begin the Advent season of waiting, you might like to begin praying today by repeating the phrase, 'Come, Lord Jesus'. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 10:21-24 At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you...
Dec 03, 2025•12 min
