At the beginning of Advent 2019, I looked around my tiny little apartment at Broadview and Danforth in Toronto and wondered how to make it look a bit more festive. I had been scrolling through Facebook and was feeling a bit left out, and perhaps nostalgic, after seeing post after post of beautifully decorated homes. I looked through the rather scant collection in the small box of Christmas decorations that I had brought with me from Halifax, looked through the kitchen drawer for a sticky wall hanger for the wall, and did the best I could.
I then posted this picture on FB with the caption “Phew! Got the tree up.”
I had lots of “likes” … and even a few comments: “Looks great! Can you come and put mine up too?” and “Whew! You must be beat!”
The weeks leading up to Christmas are always a whirlwind for anyone working in the church. That Christmas, Pat actually came to Toronto for Christmas to join Alana and I, as did Duncan. After the Christmas Eve service at the church, we all went back to my apartment for a sleepover … (can’t remember who got the couch, or who got the air mattress on the floor) … and had a lovely Christmas morning together. Later that day we all crowded into Alana’s basement apartment for a Christmas dinner that Alana had cooked. The day was lovely.
Some of my fondest Christmas memories are those when something unexpected happened … or things didn’t go quite as planned. Like the Christmas spent in London, England, with my cousin and a family that had “adopted” us for 8 months when I was 20 years old. Or, the Christmas 12 years ago when I had surgery two weeks before Christmas and couldn’t do a thing. It was humbling to allow myself to be cared for and rest. Two of my three kids were born in November, which always added to the chaos of the season as we attempted to navigate things with a newborn.
Sometimes it takes an outside force to shake things up a bit to make you stop and notice what’s going on around you. And force you to think outside the box. Sometimes, you even have to make stuff up … create new traditions with what you have on hand.
This Sunday we begin Advent. And yes … the block nativity figures will be on hand during the all ages time. It has brought me great joy to have had so many folks ask me “will the nativity figures be making an appearance again this year?”
The materials we are using this year from Sanctified Art are full of artwork, poetry, and reflections around the theme “What do you fear?”
Here are some words of introduction from the materials:
“Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod…” This detail may seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world not so unlike our own. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, the whispers of angels deliver a surprising message: “Do not fear.” In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?”
I love that question … Is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When I reflect on my own experiences I cited above (in Toronto, in London, and in Halifax) … in each of those circumstances I entered into them with great fear and trepidation … going on a European adventure with 3 friends with a one way ticket and absolutely no concrete plans … having fairly major surgery … and moving to Toronto for an unknown length of time … even though I was fearful I was somehow able to face and move through the fear. And each one led me to a holy and sacred time.
On the Sanctified Art Facebook page a ministry leader posted her “photo a day challenge” to her community. She invited folks to send her photos that illustrated a posted word each day. I have heard of this before … and always hoped for an opportunity to try it out.
So, here’s your chance. You all did so well posting your nativity scenes last year (along with wonderful stories) … I am inviting you to send me your photos (and a story if you want to share …) that illustrate any of the words for the week. Here is the calendar and list of words for the four weeks:
I will post the pictures on my blog … perhaps even more than once a week!
This week’s words are:
Longing
Break in
Fear
Possibility
Presence
Marvel
So, email me your pictures folks … and a story if you wish.
If I had to pick a word for my Christmas tree picture … perhaps it would be “possibility” … or maybe even “break in” … it represents the possibility of doing things differently … still finding God in the season and opening myself to seeing and experiencing the God of hope, peace, love and joy in new and and different ways.
Hope to see you on Sunday! And also … for those of you who watch us live … please identify yourself in the chat. Steve Morley is now monitoring the live chat and we would love to know who else is joining us. Feel free to offer comments or ask questions during the service. We may not get to them while we are live … but know that we will get back to you!
Blessings!
