When you think of entering into a new year with intention, what comes to mind?

Perhaps, it’s taking some time away from social media, getting cozy with a cup of tea and a notebook, and writing out the goals you have for the upcoming year.

Perhaps, it’s refining your priorities so you can step into 2023 with renewed focus and passion.

Perhaps, it’s dusting off the list of resolutions from 2022 that didn’t come to fruition and making a commitment to self to be disciplined and power through to make them happen this year.

As I sit here to write a reflection to share about Peace on Earth, thoughts begin to swirl yet my fingers are frozen, unable to begin to take those thoughts swirling above my head and pluck them out, one at a time, into a practical order and begin to type to take you through the first in-person event since January 2020. 

The FIRST in-person event since January 2020… no pressure, though, right?

It feels surreal to have had this event come and go. 

For 2022, Peace on Earth: a Christmas Contemplative Experience, is a coming together of things I love, have been learning, growing and trained in, into one holistic experience. It’s movement and meditation, but also breath prayer, journaling, imaginative prayer, group and 1:1 sharing and all the beautiful practices that have been foundational to my own spiritual growth, depth and formation over the years.

You open up your physical bible or a bible app.

Start reading a passage someone recommended, maybe the verse of the day, or a chunk on your reading plan.

You complete your reading.

Another day checked off the list.

You close your bible. 

And, with a hint of perhaps guilt, or maybe a sense of disappointment or let down, you think to yourself, ‘that’s it? Shouldn’t I be getting more out of this? Why aren’t I getting anything from this? How can other people read the same things and feel inspired?’