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Good morning.Ìý Teresa of Cartegena was a fifteenth century medieval mystic, who as a young woman lost her hearing. Subsequently she wrote about the experience of sudden disability and how this played an important part in her understanding of God.
This brave and strong woman went on to pioneer the work of feminist biblical interpretation, and she highlighted the need for female voices in the church at that time - a time when it was difficult for women to be heard.
Despite hearing being denied her, she discovered in her relationship with Christ a new light, which helped her in her own spiritual illumination. Her deafness was an experience that, in a sense, woke her up.
Waking up to God and illumination are both themes explored in the Christian season of Advent, which begins tomorrow. Candles will be found in abundance in churches and some people’s homes – for me they symbolise our longing for a deeper understanding of God. It can be in experience of loss that we wake up to God and see the light.
Advent gives us an opportunity to focus less on ourselves and more on God, who promises to come into all things. The weeks leading up to Christmas are a reminder to look daily for the light of Christ, until illumination, in whatever form, enables us to interpret God in every part of our lives.

Lord, it is so easy to be drawn to conclusions in life, and to miss out on learning in the process. As we prepare to mark the coming of Jesus at Christmas, help us to see what is necessary in order to welcome Christ this Advent into our lives.Ìý Amen.
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