3 places to be together this Advent!

Dear friends,

I'm taking the space dedicated to Five-Minute Friday to share a bunch of exciting Advent news with you.  I've been waking up between 4 and 6 every day the past couple of weeks like it's Christmas morning, excited to get to work on some projects for us to sink into the season of Advent beginning November 29.

1. Advent Daybook posts

Since you're here, you already know the primary way I mark the days of Advent is through the Advent Daybook devotional posts each day. Each day of Advent 2020 (November 29 - December 24) I’ll share a devotional post that includes a work of art, a song, daily Scripture passages, a short prayer, and a simple action to help you practice the waiting days of Advent.

When I first started this series, I was compelled to create something I’d been looking for and couldn’t find online. While I own and enjoy several printed beautiful devotional books for Advent and Christmas, I was intrigued by the idea of a multi-media, shared experience that can be cultivated online. Since that time, many new and wonderful resources release each year. It’s tempting to dabble in each one, but I encourage you to find what works best for you and to simply, prayerfully walk through each day with intentional companions. I’m honored to be included in your Advent journey!

The daily devotional posts will then be available to those who subscribe at the Daybook ($5 a month) level.

If you enjoy what I’ve been curating and creating here, please invite your friends to subscribe too! The Daybook devotional posts provide a beautiful experience to be able to share and talk about together. 

For more information: Advent Daybook Explained 

2. Advent Daybook pdf download

I realize that some folks want the content of the Advent Daybook in concrete form. For the first time this year, I'm offering the Daybook content in a pdf download for anyone. This link will be available before Thanksgiving and I'm still determining the price, but am considering the $20 range. You might have friends who for one reason or another don't want to interact with Patreon but would appreciate the content from our Daybook posts. This option is for them! 

I'd love your feedback on this. Send me an email, won't you?

3. Announcing: Advent at Home! An Advent retreat with the Black Barn collective

I'm so excited to be invited to speak (virtually) at this event hosted by author and pacemaker Christie Purifoy and her community at Black Barn Online and I'm just as excited to invite YOU to join us!

On Saturday, December 5, 2020, we invite you to retreat for a day and experience the quiet expectation of the Advent season.

Reserve your seat at this special Black Barn Table for only $19.99. (You'll need to join the Black Barn Online - it's free!)

Can't join us live on Saturday, December 5? All videos and printed materials will be available until January 2021, for you to savor when the time is right for you.

Whether you are new to Advent observation or cherish this special season year after year, you are welcome to join us for an Advent experience in four parts with presentations by Tamara Murphy , Leslie Bustard, Amy Knorr , and Christie Purifoy .

This guided retreat experience will include a live zoom conversation and live community text chat. Each speaker will present a short video, and additional materials, including special seasonal recipes, can be printed to use this day and throughout the month.

Share with your friends and join us! I've had so much fun preparing and look forward to seeing what the other presentations offer. 

Advent is mystery, hope, and a countercultural invitation to walk the pathway of our true identity as citizens of the eternal kingdom of God. While we consider the first arrival of the Messiah as a baby human and the final arrival of Christ as a triumphant king, we also recognize the reign of Christ that’s already here. God with us is right now with us, arriving each moment with life and new mercy.

Maybe you, like my family, needs this year more than ever to embrace the irrationality of Advent hope. Like the ancient people of God, we and our neighbors understand what it feels like to sit in darkness. With the world in turmoil, we and our neighbors have felt the darkness and desperately need to see the great light of Christ’s arrival. Advent makes space for us to shine the light of Christ’s presence over all the bits and pieces of sadness, worry, fear, trauma, celebration, joy, life, and death in the light of God’s mercy.

Peace and anticipation,

Tamara