Day 5 (art meditations + suggested resources for Advent)
"Advent is about learning to wait. It is about not having to know exactly what is coming tomorrow, only that whatever it is, it is of the essence of sanctification for us. Every piece of it, some hard, some uplifiting, is sign of the work of God alive in us. We are becoming as we go. We learn in Advent to stay in the present, knowing that only the present well lived can possibly lead us to the fullness of life." (Chittister)
During Advent I'll forego my weekly
posts in order to share almost-daily meditations of Scripture, hymns, and art reflecting the
alternate narrative and subversive time
of waiting in hope for the Christ who came, the Christ who will come again and the Christ now among us.
Won't you join me?
First Thursday in Advent:
Peter Howson
Giclee print
Christos Aneste painting series via
A reading from Luke 1:
46
And Mary said,
“My
soul
magnifies the Lord,
47
and my
spirit rejoices in
God my Savior,
48
for
he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations
will call me blessed;
49
for
he who is mighty
has done great things for me,
and
holy is his name.
50
And
his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53
he has filled
the hungry with good things,
and the rich
he has sent away empty.
54
He has
helped
his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
<a href="http://emmausway.bandcamp.com/album/a-rite-for-advent">A Rite for Advent by Emmaus Way</a>
Annunciation
Three free Advent devotionals you can download:
(
)
Christ Church (Berkeley) -
Liberti Church (Philly) -
Newbigin House (San Francisco) -
Interested in why our family values the season of Advent? Read our post:
Family liturgies for Advent and a confession from an exhausted Dad at Christmas
Now it's your turn! What art are you enjoying this season?
Tell us about it in the comments below.
If you've written your own post, share the link.
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"I keep expecting loud and impressive events to convince me and others of God's saving powers. Our temptation is to be distracted by them. When I have no eyes for the small signs of God's presence ... I will always remain tempted to despair." -- Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen, Gracias! A Latin American Journal (1983) (via Diary of An Arts Pastor)
