To launch our GoHealth Advent calendar 2025 we share this inspiring reflection from the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
Share your thoughts
What thoughts and reflections surfaced for you as you listened to and watched the Archbishop of York’s advent reflection? Share your comments in the space below.
What a moving way to begin this holy season – thank you
Thanks Kathleen
shalom and fullness of life springs to mind
plus growth in waiting which is healing.
post traumatic growth needs space and time.
Jesus knows our deepest need that in waiting comes from darkness into light.
Amen – yes. Post traumatic growth that is deeper and wiser….it’s what the world needs.
What a wonderful reflection to start this Advent season. I had never thought much before about what Jesus might think my deepest need is. That has really opened up a new avenue of thought and a new way to approach my prayers. Instead of me “telling” the Lord what I need or how I hope to be healed, I feel a sense of freedom to rather say, Lord please show me what my deepest need really is. How comforting to know that His eyes and His love searches that deeply. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this thoughtful response, Maxine – what a profound idea to journey with this Advent.
I will spend some time reflecting on the Maurice Maddocks quote. It spoke to me about the conversations with Hospice patients I have had and will have again today.
Thank you
Thank you David. May you feel God with you today in the hospice, and amongst those you meet
I feel very blessed today that I am able to hear this word. Instantly I was aware of being shown what my deepest need was. I am grateful for that and will wait for what is yet to come
Thank you for sharing this Mavis.
Only Jesus can reveal our deepest needs. What a relief it is to know we are in His hands.
Amen, yes it is a relief
Greetings from the wet and windy Pennines. A wise and grounded reflection to start the journey. I was prompted by the reference to the healing of the paralysed man to turn to a fine poem by Seamus Heaney called ‘Miracle’ which asks us to consider the friends who bring the man as they wait too for the event and process of healing and forgiveness to unfold for the one they have brought .
Not the one who takes up his bed and walks
But the ones who have known him all along
And carry him in –
………
Be mindful of them as they stand and wait
for the burn of the paid-out ropes to cool,
Their slight lightheadedness and incredulity
To pass, those ones who had known him all along.’
Hi Rod – thanks, that’s beautiful. And perfect for people trying to be healing presences for others.
As Honorary Hospital Chaplain, this reflection has further confirmed the need for me to be a healing presence at the bedside. And, for the totality of healing to be recognised, by all – body, mind, and spirit. A great start to the Advent reflections.
Thank you for sharing this Janet, and for bringing your healing presence to those you meet
Body mind and spirit – interconnection of all 3 is so important to achieve balance. So good God can see us for what we are and accepts us as we are and that we can tell him how we feel and this can bring relief and calmness to our situation.
Thank you for sharing this, Joanne – Amen!
Thank you to the Archbishop of York for his inspiring reflection at the start of the ‘journey’ through Advent. Following this reflection, I was led to read Psalm 139…..
Thank you for sharing this, Susan – what a beautiful Psalm to revisit again and again.