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An Advent Visio Divina

Part of the 2024 Advent series from the Assembly, we invite you into a Visio Divina, an ancient form of Christian prayer with sacred image

December 10, 2024

This resource is part of the Assembly's 2024 Advent series, 'Expanding Advent'. In the context of the devastating war in the Middle East, this series offers a range of resources to enrich our reflection, worship, singing, and prayer during this season.

with thanks to Rev Dr Doug Purnell, Rev Dr Rod Pattenden and Dianne Minnaar for generously allowing their artwork to be offered for this spiritual practice.

As we come into reflection during this week of Advent, below are images from three talented artists which might speak to us about the juxtapositions and paradoxes of this season of waiting amid the chaos.

We invite you to set aside some time to sit with these images and explore them using the prayer practice known as Visio Divina, which means ‘sacred seeing’. Visio Divina is an ancient form of Christian prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to enter into a sacred image, in silence, to see what God might have to say to us.

Visio Divina is an ancient form of Christian prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to enter into a sacred image, in silence, to see what God might have to say to us.

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Visio Divina

Center yourself by taking a deep breath and relaxing your body as best you can. Allow your shoulders to lower away from your ears. Let your arms rest in your lap and let your feet be fully supported by the floor. Feel the weight of your body held by the chair. Spend this time in quiet. Open yourself up to God’s voice.

(pause)

Take a deep breath in and out. Continue breathing deeply as you read the image. In this moment, simply notice the visual qualities of what you see: colours, line, shape, form, space, and texture.

(pause)

Now, take a deeper look. What parts of the image are your eyes most drawn to? What parts of the image did you quickly brush by or overlook?

(pause)

And now, use your imagination.

Imagine yourself in this piece. Where would you be and how would you interact with what surrounds you?

(pause)

And now, read the artist’s notes.  What new insights do you discover?

(pause)

Finally, observe your own emotions. How does this image make you feel?

(pause)

Materials adapted from Seeking: Honest Questions for Deeper Faith, Sanctified Art, sanctifiedart.org 

Artwork by Rev Dr Doug Purnell

Artworks © Rev Dr Douglas Purnell OAM. These artworks have been used with permission and should not be edited in any way or reproduced without written permission from the artist.

Artwork by Rev Dr Rod Pattenden

Golden Gully, 2023, oil in canvas , 101 x 101 cms © Rev Dr Rod Pattenden. The artwork captures a place impacted by the bush fires and therefore climate change. With signs of regeneration, it embodies the call to live with care within creation.

This artwork has been used with permission and should not be edited in any way or reproduced without written permission from the artist.

Artwork by Dianne Minnaar

“Mary’s Song" © Dianne Minnaar (SANCTUS SACRED IMAGES: www.sanctussacredimages.com)

View artwork here

This artwork has been used with permission and must not be reproduced in any way without permission from the artist.

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