DAY 18 —“The Bridge in the Fog”
“Welcome again. We are in Day 18 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where courage often appears in gentle forms.”
“Today’s story begins at a bridge…
covered in thick winter fog.”
“A man approached an old wooden bridge
stretching across a forest valley.
But the fog was so thick
he could not see the other side.
He hesitated.
Should he wait?
Turn back?
Or risk stepping into what he could not see?
An elderly shepherd walking behind him said,
‘Son, you don’t need to see the whole bridge…
just trust the plank beneath your foot.’
So the man stepped forward.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Courageously.
And halfway across,
the fog thinned —
revealing a beautiful valley
that had been hidden all along.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear —
it is choosing to move
even when clarity is missing.
God rarely shows the entire path.
He invites us
to take the next step
on the plank He strengthens beneath our feet.
Advent courage is quiet courage —
the bravery to believe
that God walks the bridge with you.”
“So today ask:
‘Where is God asking me to take one brave step?’
And whisper:
‘Lord, steady my foot…
and walk with me through the fog.’”
DAY 17 “The Unexpected Song”
“Welcome again. We are in Day 17 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where simple moments reveal God’s joyful surprises.”
“Today’s story begins on a quiet train…
with a song no one expected.”
“A group of tired passengers sat in a train compartment,
faces heavy, hearts drained by the long day.
One young mother sat holding her little daughter,
who suddenly began humming softly —
a bright, innocent tune.
At first, the passengers ignored it.
But slowly, smiles began to appear.
The tune grew into a gentle song,
and soon the whole compartment fell quiet
just to listen.
When she finished,
an elderly man wiped a small tear and said,
‘Thank you, little one…
I had forgotten what joy sounds like.’
In that moment,
a tired train turned into a place of unexpected grace.”
“Sometimes joy doesn’t shout —
it hums.
It enters quietly,
like a melody you didn’t know you needed.
Advent reminds us that joy is not the absence of struggle —
it’s the presence of God
in the middle of it.
Joy finds us
in ordinary moments,
in sudden kindness,
in soft music,
in gentle surprises
that remind us
we are not alone.
Joy is God whispering,
‘I’m here. Keep going.’
Let your heart listen.
Joy might be closer than you think.”
“So today, ask yourself:
‘Where did God hide a small joy for me today?’
Let your spirit notice the melody.
And whisper:
‘Lord, awaken joy in me again.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.”
Welcome once more. We are in Day 16 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where everyday moments invite us
to slow down and make room for Christ.”
“Today’s parable unfolds at a crowded street crossing…
where everyone seemed to be in a race.”
“It was lunch hour in a bustling city.
The pedestrian light turned green
and people surged forward —
heads low, feet fast, hearts elsewhere.
Everyone was rushing:
to errands, to meetings, to responsibilities.
In the middle of the crowd,
an elderly woman paused right at the edge of the road.
Instead of stepping forward,
she tilted her face upward
and looked at the sky.
A single patch of blue
peeked through the moving clouds.
She smiled to herself —
a slow, peaceful smile
that didn’t match the pace of the world around her.
A young woman beside her asked,
‘Ma’am, aren’t you crossing?’
The old woman chuckled softly and said,
‘Child, the road isn’t going anywhere.
But these quiet moments with God…
they pass quickly if you don’t stop to see them.’
Then, gently and without hurry,
she began to cross.”
“We spend much of life rushing —
rushing to solve problems,
rushing through conversations,
rushing through prayers,
rushing through our own emotions
because slowing down feels uncomfortable.
But Advent invites us into a different pace.
Jesus comes quietly,
slowly,
softly —
not with noise,
but with a whisper.
If our lives are moving too fast,
we might miss Him.
The elderly woman teaches us something holy:
the world will always demand speed,
but God asks for stillness.
Peace does not grow in busy hearts.
Hope does not bloom in hurried souls.
Advent is your invitation
to look up from the race
and notice the God
who is already beside you.”
“So today, pause and ask yourself:
‘Where am I rushing past God?
And where is He asking me to slow down,
even just for a moment?’
Let your heart breathe.
Let stillness find you.
And whisper this Advent prayer:
‘Lord, slow my spirit
so I don’t miss Your presence today.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May holy stillness fill your heart.”
“Welcome, dear friends. We are in Day 15 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where God’s whispers call us home.”
“Today’s parable takes place on an early morning street…
with a man sweeping the road.”
“A young businessman walked down a street at dawn
and saw a municipal worker sweeping leaves and dust
with quiet dedication.
The man asked him,
‘Doesn’t this get tiring?
No matter how much you sweep,
the road gets dirty again.’
The worker smiled and replied,
‘Yes…
but imagine what the street would look like
if I never showed up.’
As the businessman walked away,
the words lingered.
He realized
he had not been sweeping his heart —
not clearing old resentments,
old habits,
old pride.
Advent that morning
became his broom.”
“Repentance is not punishment —
it’s cleansing.
It’s allowing God
to sweep away what weighs you down.
Forgiveness is the broom.
Humility is the dustpan.
And grace is the fresh road
where Christ walks to meet you.
Repentance is choosing not to let yesterday’s dirt
define tomorrow’s heart.”
“So today, ask yourself:
‘What needs sweeping in my life?’
Let God help you clean what you cannot.
And whisper:
‘Lord, clear my heart for Your coming.’”
DAY 14 —“The Smallest Lantern”
“Welcome. We are in Day 14 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where small things reveal great truths.”
“Today’s parable comes from a village night walk…
and the smallest lantern you can imagine.”
“A group of villagers were walking home at night
during a power outage.
Some carried large lamps,
others had bright torches.
But one elderly woman
held the tiniest lantern —
its flame barely visible.
A young man teased her,
‘Why even bring that?
It gives almost no light.’
She lifted it gently and said,
‘It gives enough for my next step.
And that’s all I need.’
The group fell silent.
Her little lantern
guided her with steady peace.”
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself —
it is knowing
you don’t need to shine the brightest
to walk with God.
Christ came small,
hidden,
quiet —
a lantern in a world full of spotlights.
Humility allows God’s light to shine
one step at a time,
in ordinary ways,
through simple hearts.”
“So today, ask yourself:
‘Am I trying to shine…
or trying to follow?’
Whisper:
‘Lord, make me small enough
to carry Your light.’”
“Warm greetings to you. We are in Day 13 of Advent,
and welcome to Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where simple moments of daily life
prepare our hearts for the gentle coming of Christ.”
“Today’s story begins in a winter garden…
with a plant that looked completely lifeless.”
“After a night of heavy frost,
a gardener walked into his backyard
and saw one of his small potted plants
frozen stiff.
Its leaves drooped,
its color had faded,
and for a moment it looked
as though all life had slipped out of it.
He bent down, touched its cold surface,
and whispered,
‘Poor thing… the frost was too harsh.’
His neighbor, passing by, smiled and said,
‘Just wait for the sun.’
Hours later,
as the sunlight slowly warmed the earth,
a tiny bit of color returned to the plant.
By late afternoon,
its leaves lifted gently —
not all at once,
but slowly…
delicately…
as if hope itself were stretching
after a long, cold night.”
“There are seasons of life
where the soul feels frozen.
A disappointment that chills the heart…
a word that wounds…
a prayer that seems unanswered…
a chapter of waiting that feels too long.
You look at yourself and think,
‘I should be stronger by now…
I should have more faith…
I should be doing better than this.’
But Advent whispers a different truth:
Even the healthiest hearts
experience winter.
Even the strongest disciples
face days when their inner life feels numb.
But frost is not final.
The Sun of Justice — Christ Himself —
comes gently,
not with fire that scorches,
but with warmth that restores.
Your soul may feel cold today,
but God is already working
beneath the surface —
quietly thawing,
softening,
reviving what you thought was gone.
Healing is slow,
but it is sure.”
“So today, pause and ask yourself:
‘Which part of my heart feels frozen?’
Hold that place gently before God.
Let Him warm it with His quiet presence.
And whisper this simple Advent prayer:
‘Lord, thaw what is cold in me…
and bring my heart back to life.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May God’s warmth gently reach you today.”
“Peace to you today. We are in Day 12 of Advent, and welcome to Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic — where simple everyday stories help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming.”
“Today’s story begins in a quiet hallway… with a door that refused to open.”
“A man stood in front of an old wooden door in an apartment corridor. It looked like the right door — the one he believed would finally lead him to the opportunity he’d been praying for. He inserted his key and turned it left… then right… but the lock wouldn’t budge. He tried another key, and then another, growing more frustrated with each click that failed. Finally, defeated, he leaned his forehead against the door. A neighbor passing by paused and asked, ‘Are you trying to get into that apartment?’ The man sighed, ‘Yes… nothing is working.’ The neighbor smiled gently and said, ‘That’s because it’s not your door.’ He pointed two doors down. ‘Yours is over there.’ The man stared, embarrassed — then relieved. He had been forcing the wrong door with all the right keys.”
“How many times in our own lives do we stand before a door we desperately want to open? We try every spiritual key we have — prayer, effort, tears, determination — yet nothing moves. We blame ourselves, we grow impatient with God, or we wonder if we’ve failed. But Advent reminds us that not every closed door is rejection — sometimes it’s redirection. God may be gently steering you away from a path that would exhaust you, away from a situation not meant to hold you, away from a place where your heart would not flourish. A locked door can feel like disappointment… but it may be God’s protection. And the right door — the one meant for you — often stands quietly nearby, waiting for you to look up and notice it.”
“So today, pause and ask yourself: ‘Which door am I forcing? And where might God be quietly guiding me instead?’ Lift your eyes from the lock that won’t open to the path that’s waiting for you. And whisper this prayer: ‘Lord, lead me to the door You have opened for my life.’ This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic. May you walk toward the right door today.”
“Welcome to you. We are in Day 11 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where the ordinary moments of life
help our hearts prepare for Christmas.”
“Today’s story begins at a dinner table…
with a chair no one sat on.”
“A family gathered for dinner
on a cool December evening.
The table was filled with warm food,
soft laughter,
and the familiar clatter of cutlery.
But at the end of the table
stood one empty chair —
left intentionally open
for a loved one they had lost earlier that year.
At first, the emptiness felt heavy,
as though grief itself had taken a seat.
But then the father said,
‘Let’s each share one memory
that makes us smile.’
One by one,
the family spoke —
stories of joy,
of love,
of little things that once felt ordinary
but now felt like treasures.
And slowly,
the empty chair no longer felt like absence.
It felt like presence —
a space where love still lived.”
“Advent can stir deep emotions —
especially for those who are grieving,
missing someone,
or carrying silent heartache.
We often think grief is something we should ‘fix,’
or ‘get over,’
or hide from others.
But Advent teaches us something gentler:
Love never disappears.
It changes shape.
It becomes memory,
gratitude,
and quiet companionship.
Even empty chairs hold stories,
and in those stories,
Christ sits with us —
not to take away the ache,
but to transform it
into a sacred tenderness.
The empty chair at your table
is not a reminder of what you lack —
it is a reminder of who shaped you,
loved you,
and continues to live in the heart of God.”
“So today, take a moment and ask yourself:
‘Who is the empty chair in my life?
And how can I hold their memory with love instead of pain?’
Let God sit beside you in your remembering.
And whisper this Advent prayer:
‘Lord, bless the ones I miss…
and sit with me in my grief.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May your memories be warmed by God’s love today.”
DAY 10 — “The Dripping Tap”
“Welcome again. We are in Day 10 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where simple, ordinary moments
help prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.”
“Today’s story begins in a quiet kitchen…
with a tap that wouldn’t stop dripping.”
“It was late at night,
and the whole house was silent —
except for a stubborn tap in the kitchen
that kept dripping into a metal bucket.
Drip…
drip…
drip.
At first it was irritating,
a tiny sound that felt louder in the stillness.
But by morning,
something surprising had happened.
The bucket,
which had seemed so empty the night before,
was now half full.
Not because of a flood.
Not because of a big moment.
But because of tiny drops —
small, steady, and unnoticed through the night —
quietly filling what had felt empty.”
“Grace often comes like that —
not in dramatic moments,
not in life-changing events,
but in small drops
that accumulate over time.
A short prayer whispered before sleep.
A kind word offered during a busy day.
A moment of silence you carve out
in the middle of noise.
A gentle act of forgiveness,
even if your heart isn’t ready for the whole thing yet.
We underestimate these drops,
but they fill the bucket of our soul
with God’s quiet presence.
Advent teaches us
that holiness grows slowly,
healing happens gradually,
and God often works in whispers
rather than thunder.
Your spiritual life doesn’t need a tidal wave —
it just needs consistency.
One drop at a time.”
“So today, pause and ask yourself:
‘What small drop of grace is God giving me today?
And what small drop can I offer Him in return?’
Don’t seek big miracles.
Just welcome the steady drip of God’s love.
And whisper this Advent prayer:
‘Lord, fill me slowly and faithfully
with Your quiet grace.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May your soul be filled, drop by drop, today.”
DAY 9 “The Cold Bench in the Park”
“Welcome, dear friend. We are in Day 9 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where our deepest longings meet God’s gentle presence.”
“Today’s story takes place on a winter evening…
at a lonely bench in the park.”
“A widower walked to the same park bench every evening
even in the cold winter months.
He sat there quietly,
hands folded,
eyes fixed on the lake ahead.
A passerby one day asked,
‘Why sit here in the cold?
It must be uncomfortable.’
The man replied softly,
‘This is where I used to sit with my wife.
When I sit here,
my heart remembers love
and longs for heaven.’
His longing was not despair —
it was love stretching toward eternity.”
“Advent is the season of holy longing —
the ache for God,
the yearning for healing,
the desire for a Savior.
Longing is not a weakness;
it is the soul reaching
for something only God can fill.
Your longing is prayer.
Your ache is an altar.
Your desire for God
is already God desiring you.”
“So today ask:
‘What do I deeply long for in this Advent season?’
Bring that longing to Christ.
And whisper:
‘Lord, come into the spaces my heart longs to fill.’”
DAY 8 — “The Slow Elevator”
“Welcome once again. We are in Day 8 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where ordinary moments slow us down
and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.”
“Today’s story comes from a place we all know…
an elevator that refuses to hurry.”
“It was a busy December morning in a crowded office building.
People were rushing everywhere,
arms full of files, phones glued to their ears,
breath short with the weight of deadlines.
A young man pressed the elevator button —
once, twice, then rapidly again and again,
as if tapping it repeatedly would somehow speed it up.
An older janitor sweeping nearby chuckled softly and said,
‘Pressing it ten times won’t make it come faster, son.’
The young man laughed, embarrassed.
Then the janitor added with a gentle wisdom,
‘But don’t worry…
it will still take you up —
just not on your schedule.’
The elevator finally arrived.
And as the young man stepped in,
his rushed heart slowed just a little.”
“Isn’t that just like our lives?
We press the buttons of our hopes
again and again and again —
wanting answers now,
healing now,
clarity now,
change now.
We beg God to hurry
because our hearts grow impatient
when life doesn’t move at our pace.
But Advent teaches us
the holy art of waiting.
God does not rush,
and yet He is never late.
His timing may feel slow,
but it always lifts us
to the place we’re meant to be.
The slow elevator reminds us
that upward movement still happens —
even when it’s not on our timeline.”
“So today, take a quiet moment and ask yourself:
‘Where am I pressing too hard?
What am I trying to rush that God is asking me to trust?’
Let your spirit breathe.
Release the impatient tapping of your heart.
And whisper this prayer:
‘Lord, lift me in Your time…
and teach my soul to wait.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May patience grow gently within you today.”
“Peace be upon you. We are in Day 7 of Advent,
and welcome to Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where the small moments of daily life
help us prepare our hearts for Christmas.”
“Today’s story begins on a cold winter bench…
with a single forgotten glove.”
“It was a freezing December afternoon.
People rushed through the park,
heads down, collars up, hands buried in pockets.
On one bench lay a single wool glove —
soaked from the snow, muddy from footprints,
ignored by everyone passing by.
Most didn’t even look at it.
But one woman stopped.
Something about that lonely glove
made her pause.
She picked it up gently,
brushed off the snow,
and placed it on the back of the bench
where it could be easily seen.
An hour later,
an elderly man hurried toward the bench,
eyes scanning desperately.
When he saw the glove —
his glove —
he exhaled like someone finding
a small piece of himself again.
He slipped it onto his trembling hand
and whispered,
‘Thank God… someone cared enough to notice.’”
“Sometimes we feel like that lost glove —
dropped, forgotten, overlooked,
sitting in life’s cold places
hoping someone cares enough to notice.
There are days when we feel misplaced
in our families,
in our friendships,
even in our own hearts.
But Advent tells us this truth:
God always notices.
God always searches.
God always draws near
to the ones who feel left behind.
You are never the forgotten glove on the bench.
You are the one Christ comes looking for —
patiently, persistently, lovingly.
And He will place you back
where you belong,
warming your spirit
with His steady presence.”
“So today, take a moment and ask yourself:
‘Where do I feel lost or unseen?
And can I trust that God is searching for me there?’
Let Him find you.
Let Him lift you gently.
And whisper this Advent prayer:
‘Lord, thank You for noticing me when I feel forgotten.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May you feel held, found, and warmed today.”
“Welcome again. We are in Day 6 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where ordinary moments help us prepare our hearts for Christmas.”
“Today’s story comes from a woman who loved to watch…
the evening sky.”
“Every evening, just before supper,
an elderly woman pulled her chair to the window
and watched the sunset.
Her family worried about her.
They thought she was lonely —
just passing time staring at the sky.
One day, her granddaughter asked,
‘Grandma, why do you watch the sunset every day?’
The old woman smiled gently and said,
‘Because it reminds me
that even the most beautiful things
must set…
so something new can rise.’
Her voice held no sadness —
only a tender kind of wisdom
that comes from years of watching God
bring light out of darkness.”
“There are sunsets in our lives too —
chapters that end,
relationships that shift,
roles that change,
dreams that fade.
Some endings we choose,
others break our hearts.
But Advent teaches us that every ending
prepares the sky for a new dawn.
A part of your life may be setting right now —
a season of waiting,
a chapter of struggle,
a hope that feels delayed.
But God never lets a sunset be the last word.
He uses it to soften the sky,
to calm your spirit,
to prepare the horizon
for something you cannot yet see.
Advent is the time
where the light is fading…
but the promise is rising.”
“So today, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
‘What is God gently closing in my life?
And what new dawn might He be preparing?’
Don’t fear the sunset.
Let God hold the ending.
Whisper this prayer:
‘Lord, bless my endings…
and prepare my heart for the dawn.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May today’s light lead you gently into hope.”
“A warm welcome to you. We are in Day 5 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where simple daily stories awaken the meaning of the season.”
“Today’s parable begins outside a bakery…
with a man who couldn’t afford the bread.”
“Every morning, a man walked past a bakery on his way to work.
He never bought anything — he couldn't afford to.
But he always paused, breathing in the warm, sweet smell
that made him feel human for a moment.
One cold morning, the baker noticed him.
The next day, a little bag sat outside the door
with a handwritten note:
‘Warmth is meant to be shared.’
Inside was fresh bread —
soft, warm, unexpected grace.”
“Sometimes God's generosity arrives
in the simplest, most surprising ways.
A kindness you didn’t expect.
A moment of warmth when life feels cold.
A reminder that you are seen.
Advent reveals a God
who places gifts at our door
not because we earn them
but because He loves to give.”
“What unexpected gift has God placed at your door?
Pray:
‘Lord, open my eyes to Your generosity today.’”
4 — “The Unsent Letter”
“Grace and peace to you. We are in Day 4 of Advent,
and welcome to Tiny Advent Parables with me Fr. Dominic —
a moment where ordinary stories
open our hearts to the meaning of this holy season.”
“Today’s parable begins with a quiet table…
and a letter that was never posted.”
“A widow had a ritual every December.
She wrote a letter to her late husband —
not to send it,
but to release whatever she carried that year.
This December, she sat down to write…
but the words refused to come.
Her grief felt heavier than ink.
So she placed her hands on the blank page
and simply sat in silence.
Minutes passed.
Then, in the stillness,
she felt something warm —
a presence beside her,
a quiet companionship she hadn’t felt in months.
She realized the letter didn’t need words.
Her heart needed stillness.
And in that silence,
God had entered the room.”
“Some seasons of life leave us speechless.
Grief does that.
Confusion does that.
Loneliness does that.
We force ourselves to ‘move on,’
‘be strong,’
‘write the next chapter.’
But Advent teaches us something gentler:
Healing often begins
not when we speak…
but when we sit with God in quiet honesty.
Your unsent letters,
your unfinished prayers,
your unspoken sorrows —
these are not failures.
They are sacred spaces where Christ desires to come close.
Advent is not about perfect wordsbut about welcoming God into the wordless places
of your heart.”
“So today, take a moment and ask yourself:
‘Where do I need God to simply sit with me?’
Don’t force the words.
Just offer Him the silence.
And whisper this prayer:
‘Lord, meet me in the places I cannot express.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with me Fr. Dominic.
May God sit gently beside you today.”
Day 3 “The Boy at the Bus Stop”
“Peace be with you! We are in Day 3 of Advent,
and welcome to Tiny Advent Parables with me Fr. Dominic —
where simple moments of daily life
reveal the deeper meaning of this holy season.”
“Today’s parable comes from a scene we’ve all witnessed…
a child waiting at a bus stop in the rain.”
“One rainy morning, a little boy stood at a bus stop —
no umbrella, shoes soaked, hair dripping.
While everyone else huddled under shelter,
he stood in the rain, smiling at the sky.
A stranger finally asked him,
‘Aren’t you upset that it’s raining this much?’
The boy shrugged and said,
‘My mum says the rain means God is washing the world clean.
If God is washing, I shouldn’t complain.’
The stranger looked at the boy —
this simple, innocent trust —
and something inside him softened.
He felt a kind of peace he hadn’t known in years.
A peace that came from a child
who saw cleansing where others saw inconvenience.”
“Life has its rainy seasons.
Times when everything feels heavy,
messy,
uncomfortable,
unwanted.
Change that disrupts us.
Loss that shakes us.
Uncertainty that frightens us.
Moments that make us say,
‘Why now, Lord?’
But Advent invites us to see the rain differently.
Rain is messy…
but it cleans.
Rain is inconvenient…
but it restores.
Rain is uncomfortable…
but it softens the hard ground
so something new can grow.
Maybe the season you’re going through
is not meant to drown you…
but to wash something inside you —an attitude,
a fear,
a wound,
a memory you’ve outgrown.
Sometimes God’s cleansing feels like chaos
until we finally understand
what He was preparing.”
“So today, pause and ask yourself:
‘What rain is God sending into my life?
And what might He be cleansing through it?’
Instead of resisting,
whisper this Advent prayer:
‘Lord, wash my heart. Make me new again.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with me Fr. Dominic.
Let God’s rain bring you peace.”
“Welcome to Tiny Advent Parables with me Fr. Dominic —
where simple stories from daily life
reveal the deeper meaning of Advent
and help your heart prepare for Christmas.”
“Today’s parable begins with something ordinary…
a mug we think is ruined.”
“A woman dropped her favorite blue mug one morning.
It didn’t shatter —
but a long crack ran down its side.
She kept using it, but carefully…
worried it would break completely.
One day, a friend saw it and said,
‘Why not fix it with gold?
There’s a Japanese art called kintsugi —
it fills the cracks with gold
so the broken parts become the most beautiful.’
She looked at the mug again…
and for the first time,
the crack didn’t feel like damage.
It felt like a doorway to something new.”“We all have cracks —
wounds we carry quietly,
fears we don’t mention,
memories that still ache.
Like that woman,
we often move through life cautiously,
afraid the next hit will finally break us.
But Advent tells a different story.
God doesn’t discard the cracked.
He restores them.
He fills the fractures of our hearts
with His tender mercy,
His patience,
His healing grace.
Your broken places are not signs of failure —
they are invitations
for God’s beauty to shine through.
Sometimes the cracks become
the most sacred part of your story.”
“So today, take a moment and ask yourself:
‘Which crack in my life is God trying to fill with grace this Advent?’
Hold it gently.
Offer it honestly.
And whisper this prayer:
‘Lord, fill my broken places with Your light.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with me Fr. Dominic.
Let God turn your cracks into beauty.”
“One evening, a man walked home exhausted.
As he passed the old abandoned house at the corner,
he noticed its porch light glowing softly in the dark.
It had been on for months — even though no one lived there.
He used to complain about it.
‘What a waste,’ he’d say.
But that night, he paused.
The small light…
the quiet glow…
made the entire street feel less empty,
less frightening…
almost warm.
For the first time he realized —
that tiny light was the only thing
that made the darkness feel a little less heavy.
He whispered,
‘Thank you… for staying on,’
not knowing who he was thanking.”
Anna – The Devoted Witness
Welcome back, truth-seekers, to another profound episode of the “Witness Series.” I’m your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, and today, we open the pages of the New Testament to encounter a remarkable woman, an elderly prophetess whose life was a testament to unwavering devotion and patient expectation.
In this ninth episode of Season 7, we turn our attention to Anna, “The Devoted Witness.” After a lifetime dedicated to prayer and fasting in the temple, God granted Anna the incredible privilege of recognizing the infant Messiah, enabling her to proclaim His arrival to a waiting world. Her story is a powerful reminder that sustained faithfulness, and a life of devotion can lead to divine encounters and a profound witness.
Anna’s life resonates with us today because it speaks to the power of a life wholly consecrated to God, lived in anticipation of His promises. Her witness reminds us that even in advanced age, our spiritual zeal can burn brightly, and our testimony can be vital in proclaiming God’s truth.
Today, we’ll unpack Anna’s life, her powerful message as a devoted witness, and how her example can inspire our commitment to prayer, worship, and watchful expectation of God’s redemptive work. Let’s get started.
Who was Anna?
(Sound of soft, ancient temple music, with a background of quiet, persistent prayer)
Anna, a prophetess, is introduced in Luke 2:36-37 with poignant detail: “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband for seven years after their marriage, and then became a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”
Consider the depth of her devotion. Anna experienced marriage for only seven years before becoming a widow. Rather than retreating into despair or a life of ease, she chose a profound path of consecration. For decades – up to 84 years, though some interpretations suggest she was a widow for 84 years – she lived within the temple precincts, or at least spent virtually all her time there. Her life was defined by ceaseless worship, fasting, and prayer. She made the house of God her home, and seeking His face her constant occupation.
She embodied a deep, patient longing for God’s promised redemption for Israel. She was one of those faithful individuals described as “looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Then came the pivotal moment. Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as required by the Mosaic Law. As they entered, the aged Simeon, also filled with the Holy Spirit, took Jesus in his arms and blessed God, proclaiming Jesus to be the “salvation prepared in the sight of all nations” (Luke 2:30).
And just as Simeon finished, Anna, “at that very moment” (Luke 2:38), approached. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, and after a lifetime of devotion and watching, she too recognized the infant Jesus for who He truly was: the Messiah, the hope of Israel. Luke 2:38 continues: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Anna’s witness was not a private revelation; it was a public proclamation. To a select group of faithful individuals who, like her, were waiting expectantly for God’s promised redemption, she became an eyewitness, verifying and announcing that the long-awaited Savior had arrived. Her life of hidden devotion culminated in a moment of public declaration, a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness to those who diligently seek Him.
Elizabeth – The Righteous Witness
Welcome back, truth-seekers, to another spirit-filledepisode of the “Witness Series.” I’m your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, andtoday, we open the pages of the New Testament to meet a woman whoserighteousness and prophetic insight played a crucial role in the unfolding ofGod’s most extraordinary plan.
In this eighth episode of Season 7, we turn ourattention to Elizabeth, “The Righteous Witness.” In her elderly years, when allhope of bearing children seemed lost, God chose Elizabeth and her husbandZechariah to prepare the way for the Messiah. Her story is a powerful reminderthat God’s timing is perfect, and He often uses humble and faithful individualsto usher in His most significant works.
Elizabeth’s life resonates with us today because itspeaks to the challenges of long-held dreams and the profound joy of seeingGod’s promises fulfilled, often in unexpected ways. Her witness reminds us thattrue righteousness is lived in quiet faithfulness and that God can bestowprophetic revelation even in the most intimate moments.
Today, we’ll unpack Elizabeth’s life, her powerfulmessage as a righteous witness, and how her example can inspire our ownpatience, faith, and spiritual discernment. Let’s get started.
Who was Elizabeth?
Imagine an elderly couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth,living a devout life. They were both from priestly families, righteous in God’seyes, blameless in their observance of His commands. Luke 1:6 tells usclearly, “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all theLord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” Yet, they carried a deep sorrow:Elizabeth was barren, and they were well advanced in years. In their culture,this was a source of profound grief and often perceived shame.
One day, while Zechariah was serving as a priest inthe temple, an angel of the Lord, Gabriel, appeared to him. Gabriel announcedthat Elizabeth would bear a son, who would “go on before the Lord, in thespirit and power of Elijah, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke1:17). This son would be John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah.Zechariah, doubting due to their old age, was temporarily struck mute.
Elizabeth conceived, and for five months, she kept herpregnancy hidden, praising God for His goodness. Luke 1:25 records herhumble gratitude: “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days, hehas shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Then, in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, thesame angel Gabriel visited her young cousin, Mary, to announce that Mary, avirgin, would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God. Asa sign, Gabriel told Mary, “Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have achild in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in hersixth month.” (Luke 1:36).
Mary immediately set out to visit Elizabeth. Whathappened next is a profound moment of prophetic recognition. Luke 1:41-42describes it vividly: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inher womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, sheexclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you willbear!’
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, was the firstto recognize and affirm Mary’s unique calling, confirming the miraculous workof God within her. She prophesied about the identity of Mary’s unborn child andthe blessedness of Mary’s faith: “Blessed is she who has believed that theLord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45)