It is one of my favourites of the Petite Retreats I have written, but then I probably say that for all my ‘children’. There is something about the waiting of advent, and the stars that shine down upon us brightening the darkest of skies in the middle of winter.

I find myself so often brought back to the promise God made to Abraham that her and Sarah would have offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky, and the recognition that I am one of those stars. It is here that this Petite Retreat begins, but it concludes with the visit of the Magi to the Christ-child in the season we call Epiphany.

This year I wanted to add something to the day, something for us as retreatants to engage with, and so I drew upon my background as a graduate in English Literature and created some poetry workshops. The resulting poems and encounters with God were really quiet inspiring.

One guest added her poetry from the day to her Substack page commenting,

By the end of the day I had written far more than I would have on any ordinary Saturday…I’d also drank more tea and eaten more cake than usual but I’m not sure that is the reason for the productivity level! I left feeling calm, relaxed and ready to get on with Christmas preparations. While we had pondered on elements of the Christmas story, the day had also been a refuge from Christmas, a time of re-creation.

Others wrote to me after telling me that they had been inspired, how the day had changed their advent reading to be more playful, how they were considering using some of the techniques in their sermon writing. I am in the process of re-visiting my ‘Live in Love’ guided meditations to create this year’s Lent Petite Retreat, and wondering what creative activity can be best woven in between the meditations. It feels clear to me that time to retreat isn’t just time to rest but to be creatively restored as well. How often do we feel able to set times aside to play and create without purpose now that we are adults? Perhaps at the beginning of this new year we might chose to give ourselves permission to do just that? To read more of how Helen was blessed by Poetry of the Stars do visit her Substack page (click here).

To enjoy some of the poetry written by guests online and in person, read on…

“Now what?” they ask.
“And where?”
“And how?”
The answer comes “Just follow.”
We know not where or how
And sometimes doubt the what and who.
We follow, not blindly, but trusting.
We cannot know it all
Our human minds have limits.
Our comprehension, badly flawed,
Needs guidance from a wiser one.
At times the trusting’s hard,
Perhaps we turn aside
Then, finding the way again, go on.

Helen 

Invitation
Light in darkness
Light of life.
Acclamation
Alleluia
Enlighten your people.
Darkness
In the shadows, peace.
In hearts, brightness
Searches bring light of splendour.

Helen

The greater light to rule the day
Came from the words you had to say
You made the day beauteously bright
The stars keep watch throughout the night.
The light that shines eternally thine
A reminder of your presence - love divine.
You created by your heavenly grace
A place to inhabit for the human race
A galaxy of two great lights,
Where day drifts into starlit nights.

Sam 

to separate light from darkness,
God hung them from a dome in the sky,
but before then, what?
a grey blend of neither
or a constant blaze of both?
sunrise and sunset
blushing pinks and bruised purples
broken through with glimmers of gold,
day battling night in a constant turmoil of colour;
until God spoke
sending night and day to their own spheres
to love peaceably
meeting only at their 
beginning and end.

Vanessa

              Set forth his most worthy praise
How can we praise him when...
                Praise him
But what about when...
                Praise him
When the rug is pulled...
                 Praise him
From under our feet.
                 Praise him
When others laugh...
                 Praise him
Or scoff or scorn.
                 Praise him
Our enemies assault
                 Praise him
When we need defending
                 Praise him
When we need his peace
                 Praise him
When we struggle to trust
                 Praise him

                 Hear his most holy word
                 Then ask for those things
                 Things requisite and necessary
                  For the body, as well as the soul

Rebecca

God created the light
Two lights
To dispel the darkness
One bright
The other, brighter
Steady
Constant
Ever present
Illuminating the joys of his creation
To see each other
To find him.

But still we hide in the shadows
Ashamed of what the light might reveal
Yet drawn to the tiniest glimmer
The flickering candle 
Until suddenly the room blazes in glory
Fear dissipates
The new day dawns. 

Rebecca 

Poetry of the Stars Retreat in a Box is still available to order by sending me a message. Each box contains a booklet of guided meditations, reflection cards, journal and pencil, poetry workshop instructions, a mindfulness creative activity, selection of beverages and a tasty treat, and a pocket sized hand crafted gift to remind you of your retreat encounters. Just £25 to include postage.

Feeling inspired? To join my Online Lent Retreat: Live in Love click here.