by Christine Sine
If we can’t become like children in Advent, there may be no hope for us! Advent is one of the times of the year when there is permission for adults to “play”: decorating our homes, wearing colorful or goofy clothes, and reliving childhood traditions… the season of Advent is an opportunity for adults – including adults without children – tp encounter faith, God and the story of salvation in Christ through the eyes of children. (Advent in Narnia Heidi Haverkamp 22,23)
I am really enjoying my unfamiliar approach to Advent this year, and these words have inspired and energized me as we head towards the half way point of the season. They are a wonderful encouragement to me as I come to the end of a year where The Gift of Wonder has encouraged me to explore childlike practices on a regular basis. This year I have found that my journey through Advent has been a combination of these same childlike explorations with more serious reflection on the realities of God’s world. All of it is stirring my imagination and enriching my faith and understanding of God.
Advent is a time to step into a world of imagination and wonder…. It can require imagination to enter into God’s reality and to experience the Christmas season not as a silly, childish distraction, but as a radical new perspective of faith and the kingdom of God. (Advent in Narnia Heidi Haverkamp 20/21)
These sentiments are well expressed in the latest podcast on A Theology of Hustle I was interviewed for – a fitting one for this pre-Christmas week.
The last week of Advent is always a busy time for us as we do our last minute shopping, get ready for the Christmas pageant at church and attend all those pre-Christmas parties. I do hope that you will also take time to pause each day to enter into the true meaning of the season and thought that you might appreciate the prayers and litanies from past years that we are highlighting on the Godspace Facebook page.
The Grace and Impatience to Wait – Walter Brueggemann
The Mood of Christmas – Howard Thurman
A Christmas Prayer by Henri Nouwen
And still to come:
A Christmas Poem by Madeleine L’Engle
A Christmas Prayer by John Henry Newman
Amazing Peace – A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou
At The End of The Year – by John O’Donohue
A Litany for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
I also thought that some of you would enjoy revisiting my Advent video Leaning Towards the Light. It contains amazing photos by Craig Goodwin and Tom Balke (Title photo) and beautiful music by Jeff Johnson.
Produced and written by Christine Sine.
The music is “Antiphon” from the CD, ANTIPHON by the Coram Deo Ensemble. Music by Janet Chvatal, Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning
℗© 2011 Sola Scriptura Songs / ArkMusic.com
Used with permission. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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