Sylvain Reynard's Blog, page 5
December 18, 2023
Advent Readalong – Week 3
Dear Everyone,
Yesterday was Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” means rejoice in Latin. One of my favourite songs is “Gaudete” performed by the Mediaeval Baebes. You can listen to it here. It’s mentioned in “Gabriel’s Rapture,” chapter 5.
During the course of Advent, we celebrate hope, peace, joy, and love. But as many of you know, it can be difficult to experience joy when one is grieving. I wanted to be sure to acknowledge that and also to point to a couple of resources. “Refuge in Grief” is a website managed by Megan Devine. On it, you’ll find lots of resources, including a Holiday Survival Guide. I also recommend her book, “It’s OK that You’re Not OK.” One of the strengths of Megan Devine’s writing is that she understands grief from experience. She is also a trained psychotherapist and weaves together her professional training with her personal journey. Whether you are grieving or whether you are close to someone who is, these resources might be helpful.
Advent and Christmas point us to Lent and Easter. Christ comes into the world to save humanity, and that process culminates in his death and resurrection. So while Advent and Christmas are a time of hope and joy, they are also a reminder of the things that bring us grief – death, loss, and pain. I was struck by the Scripture of Day 10 in our book, which was a passage from Isaiah 25: “On this mountain the Lord of Hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines …. He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces …” Here, we have a description that sounds suspiciously like Christmas – a feast for everyone with rich food and well-aged wine. But beyond that, and more importantly, a feast where we are in the presence of God and he has eradicated death. Where we sit together, after the resurrection.
Advent and Christmas point us to Lent and Easter. The suffering of Lent and the grief and death of the crucifixion give way to the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. Even in the midst of our suffering and grief, there is hope. There is also love and there is peace.
While it isn’t specifically a sacred song, one of my favourite songs about the resurrection is “After the Storm” by the band Mumford & Sons. You can listen to it here. It was profoundly inspirational for me when I was writing “The Roman,” which is the conclusion to the Florentine Series. The novel features my version of a resurrection.
Redemption and resurrection are themes I explore in my writing but they are also topics I spend a lot of time thinking about. And in this season of Advent, those meditations become all the more poignant as I acknowledge empty chairs at the feast. But I know we shall feast together again one day. “There will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears ….”
Peace and joy be with you all,
SR.
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December 14, 2023
“Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 3 Debuts
Dear Everyone,
I’m so pleased to announce the debut of “Gabriel’s Redemption” part 3 only on Passionflix. This is the final instalment of “Gabriel’s Redemption,” and coincides with the ten year anniversary of its publication.
I am so grateful to Tosca Musk, Giulio Berruti, Melanie Zanetti, and the entire cast and crew. I’m also grateful to Redd Carter for writing a beautiful new song for the film.
You can subscribe to Passionflix using code GRED3 and receive a discounted subscription for $3.99 US/month for the first three months. This code is valid now and until December 31st. When you use the code, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Advent is the season of hope. I am hopeful for the future and looking forward to where my journey will take me next. I hope you will join me.
Thank you for reading and thank you for watching,
SR.
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December 13, 2023
Happy Birthday, “Gabriel’s Redemption”
Dear Everyone,
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of “Gabriel’s Redemption.” I am so grateful to my publisher, Berkley/Penguin Random House, and to my editor, Cindy Hwang, who worked with me on the book. I’m also very grateful to Nina Bocci, my publicist and friend, who read and commented on an early draft, along with Kris Babe and Jennifer D. Thank you all.
Thank you, readers, for embarking on this journey with me. I’m so pleased with the Passionflix adaptations of The Gabriel Series. The third and final instalment of “Gabriel’s Redemption” debuts only on Passionflix tomorrow, December 14th. In fact, Redd Carter has written a new song for the film, “New Kind of Love,” which is available on iTunes.
In celebration of the ten year anniversary, I am hosting a giveaway of two signed paperbacks of “Gabriel’s Redemption.” The giveaway is posted to my Instagram and my Facebook author page. You can comment on those posts in order to enter. Open internationally. Good Luck!
Thank you for reading and for watching, and cheers to the next ten years and beyond,
SR
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December 11, 2023
Advent Readalong – Week 2
Dear Everyone,
I hope you are having a Blessed Advent. Thank you for joining me for this read along.
This week, Henri Nouwen mentioned several different spiritual disciplines. He spoke of prayer, of compassion, of community, and of space. I have found that each reading challenges me and I find myself going back to the reading again at the end of the day.
I’ve also enjoyed the actions he has suggested for each day. Who knew that enjoying a special kind of pizza was a way of venerating Mary!
Last night, I was blessed to engage with the reading community for a watchalong of part 2 of “Gabriel’s Redemption.” Reading books and watching films is enjoyable as a solitary activity, but they are so much more enjoyable when they are shared with others. I’m grateful to Mango and to the Argyle Empire for suggesting the watchalong and I’m grateful for the readers from around the world who joined me. Thank you. Looking forward to the release of part 3 of “Gabriel’s Redemption” this Thursday, only on Passionflix. The official trailer was posted by Passionflix on their instagram, and I’ve posted it on my Instagram too.
Thank you for reading and thank you for watching,
SR
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December 3, 2023
Advent Readalong – Day 1
Dear Everyone,
Today is the first Sunday in Advent, when we light the Hope candle. This advent, I’m inviting everyone to join with me in reading “Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen.” It isn’t too late to pick up a copy and join me.
Today, I began with Day 1 and I will continue in the Part 1 readings until Christmas, when I will switch to Part 2, and read the readings for the 12 Days of Christmas. I’ll be posting weekly and then on Saturday, December 16th, I’ll be joining the All things SR podcast in their chatroom at 9AM Eastern to talk about the readings.
Today’s Advent reading speaks of hope in the darkness, acknowledging that we live in a world filled with shouts, screams, and empty promises. To that list, I would add violence, hate, terrorism, and war. The challenge is to look to the light, to have hope, and to recognize that we are not alone. Advent is the beginning of a journey and I invite you to journey with me, to have hope, and to look to the light.
In the book of Isaiah 9:2, he writes, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” This is the light of Christmas, the light of salvation, the light for all of us. Join me in lighting a candle tonight to represent our hope, and to banish the darkness.
Peace be with you all,
SR
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December 1, 2023
New Discount Code for Passionflix
Dear Everyone,
Use code GRED3 at check out to receive your Passionflix subscription for $3.99 US/month for the first three months. This code is valid through December 31st.
I earn a small commission when you use the code, at no extra cost to you.
Looking forward to the watch along of “Gabriel’s Redemption” part 2 on December 10th on my Facebook author page, and the release of part 3 on Passionflix December 14th.
Thanks for watching,
SR
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November 24, 2023
Teaser for “Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 3
Dear Everyone,
Passionflix has announced that the release of “Gabriel’s Redemption” part 3 will be December 14th. They also posted a teaser trailer, which you can view here.
I’ve seen part 3 and you will love it. Passionflix has also included a couple of surprises with the release …
This is excellent timing, because the tenth anniversary of the publication of “Gabriel’s Redemption” is December 13th. I’ll be hosting a giveaway on social media, so stay tuned.
Also, please join me on my author Facebook page for a watch-along of “Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 2 on December 10th at 7PM Eastern.
And I’ll be beginning the Advent read-along with the first reading of “Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri Nouwen” on December 3rd. Join me.
Thank you for reading and thank you for watching,
SR
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November 17, 2023
Advent Readalong
Dear Everyone,
As you may remember, I hosted a Lenten read along earlier this year. At the prompting of a friend from Argyle Empire, I’ve decided to host an Advent Readalong. The book I’ve chosen is “Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen.” You can find the book on Amazon here.
Advent begins Sunday, December 3rd, and I’ll be starting the book on that day with the first reading. I’m inviting everyone to join me.
I’ll be posting shorter reflections on social media and longer, weekly reflections here on my website. I welcome your comments and reflections.
Thank you for your support,
SR
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November 3, 2023
“Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 2 Watchalong
Dear Everyone,
Argyle Empire is helping me organize a watch along of “Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 2 on Sunday, December 10th from 7-9PM (Eastern). The watch along will take place on my Facebook author’s page.
Subscribe to Passionflix, if you haven’t already. At 7PM sharp on December 10th, start the film on your device and watch the film along with me and other readers. We’ll be chatting live.
Hope you will join me.
Thank you for watching,
SR
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October 16, 2023
“Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 2 has been released
Dear Everyone,
I’m pleased to announce that “Gabriel’s Redemption” Part 2 has been released on Passionflix. If you aren’t a current subscriber to Passionflix, you can use code GRPT2SR and receive their streaming video service for $3.99 US/month for the first three months. I earn a small commission when you use this code, at no extra cost to you. Code is valid internationally to all new or returning subscribers through October 30th.
Part 3 is slated to release before the end of December 2023. This will coincide nicely with the tenth year anniversary of the publication of “Gabriel’s Redemption.”
I want to thank you, readers, for your tremendous support of me and my writing, and of the films. Melanie Zanetti, Giulio Berruti, Tosca Musk, and the entire cast and crew have created something truly special in their adaptations of my works. I’m so blessed to have worked with them and I’m so grateful for their hard work and dedication.
It’s been an incredible journey since I took up my pen in 2009 and began writing “Gabriel’s Inferno.” I’m so fortunate you have travelled with me on this adventure, and I’m looking forward to many more adventures in the future.
Thank you for reading and thank you for watching,
SR
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