by the Rev. Liv Larson Andrews Advent is here. For most, however, these weeks of December are not a separate season but are already Christmas. Trees are up. Parties are thrown. Carols are sung. While none of that is bad, it does signal a loss of another thing: the ancient practice of Advent. Thinking about … Continue reading Deep Greens And Blues
by Liv Larson Andrews I love the four tenets of the [AC] campaign: worship fully, spend less, give more, love all. I am glad to know that a new global network of amazing and helpful projects has sprung up because of the generosity of Christians. I bear no grudge toward the wells being built, the … Continue reading The [Advent Conspiracy] Is Neither Advent Nor A Conspiracy
Kathryn Smith Ours is a God who lives in every sort of dwelling, with every sort of person, whether we live in a house or a tent or no place at all. In the Old Testament lesson, God chooses the humble dwelling place—the tent rather than the cedar house. Similarly, God chooses the humble person, … Continue reading Advent Four
Kathryn Smith There are plenty of places in our West Central neighborhood for Isaiah’s prophecy to take hold. Who are the captives? What devastations – “the devastations of many generations” – surround us? And what is our role in the transformation? I see it in efforts like Project HOPE and Riverfront Farms. After all, someone … Continue reading Advent Three
Kathryn Smith What does it mean, in the year 2011, in an urban setting, to prepare the way of the Lord? What if a neighbor’s howling dog is a messenger, the voice crying out of which Isaiah speaks? Or perhaps we’re the messengers, the ones to bring comfort. This poem allows those possibilities as it … Continue reading Advent Two
Kathryn Smith What struck me about today’s gospel—in addition to the ominous imagery—is that notion that the Lord’s coming will surely happen at night. So what if we stayed awake to keep watch? Would it be possible for any one of us to interpret the signs? The Insomniac Keeps Watch The dog grows restless as … Continue reading Advent One
Joshua Robbins As we enter Advent’s home stretch, I’ve found myself wishing the season’s anticipation would feel…well, more sublime. But, then again, I wonder if Advent should feel sublime. Is this a season of sublimity? And what do we mean by “sublime,” anyway? Is grandma’s Christmas ham sublime? Is the passing of the flame during … Continue reading Advent Comes Out Swinging
Rock & Sling 