This Advent weekend was full. What about yours? And my weekend felt more like other Advent weekends of BP (before pandemic). I love circling through the season of Advent. Because it is my favorite. Yet important differences mark this year as well. Like brief worship with full mask wearing. Celebrating the ordination of Lauren Plummer. Time spent outside in spite of the cold. Attending a holiday musical performance, again fully masked.
We are learning to live creatively within the limits of a global pandemic. Some of my Advent weekend creativity included walking five miles in my neighborhood with a friend. Catching up on life was so good. A little holiday shopping (more masking) and completing a successful art project. And what would an Advent weekend be without some grading and writing for a seminary professor? I did both. And I also wrapped some gifts and enjoyed a movie with my daughter.
Speaking of my daughter. I found the sweetest Advent story from ten years ago. She was on her fifth circle through the Advent story and she was starting to sort out the characters and plot for herself. I think you’ll enjoy it. Might even make you smile. It is after all the third Sunday of Advent with its focus on joy.
Advent Highlights
This Advent I am sharing with you some of my Advent favorite posts. You will find stories and prayers and Advent poetry. And along with each one, I am wishing you some of the hope, peace, joy, and love that marks our circle through the Advent season. And I am also praying for your health and safety and space for your grief. Because this year, this last 21 months has been heavy with loss. Now with more than five million deaths and over 270 million cases of Covid, we all have lots to grieve. And there are so many residual and ripple effects. As someone said to me on Sunday, grief is the word of this past year.
And the story of Jesus’ birth and life was also marked deeply by grief. So we are in compassionate company. Glad to be going through this circle of the seasons with you, friends.
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Follow this page for more of this season’s Advent posts. And please share the ones you love.
