Would recommend Scott Erickson’s “Honest Advent” if you’re not familiar with that. It’s a very image driven set of advent reflections that often center Mary’s physical experience of Motherhood. This is my 3rd year going through it and I find new things to connect to every time. He’s sharing them on substack right now under the title Image Journey.
Mix R S Thomas and John Donne and I start to get an approximation of the unutterably vast gap that exists between my frail love of God and the dimension of his mercy towards me and, therefore, mankind, believer and non-believer alike.
Thanks for a lovely reflection, Elizabeth. I've also struggled to engage with advent over the years, but this one is different for a number of reasons, with events in Israel / Palestine making reflections on the darkness before the coming light all too relatable this year.
Am currently reading (or, more accurately, listening to, via audiobook) Tish Harrison Warren's book on advent, which is wonderful.
Two very different advent songs that I come back to through the years are 'The Light Came Down' by Josh Garrels and 'Isaiah 11' by Rain for Roots
I sympathize with the need for advent this year, and also the inability to remain in the somber portion most years. It has been a heavy season. (Also I have a reflection coming out tomorrow that is partially a meditation on Christian Wiman's "Sorrow's Flower". His vibe is definitely on point here.)
Poetry and short stories are often neglected in my reading habits, but the library has furnished me with several books of both to enjoy this Advent season!
Would recommend Scott Erickson’s “Honest Advent” if you’re not familiar with that. It’s a very image driven set of advent reflections that often center Mary’s physical experience of Motherhood. This is my 3rd year going through it and I find new things to connect to every time. He’s sharing them on substack right now under the title Image Journey.
Image Pilgrimage*
Mix R S Thomas and John Donne and I start to get an approximation of the unutterably vast gap that exists between my frail love of God and the dimension of his mercy towards me and, therefore, mankind, believer and non-believer alike.
Thanks for a lovely reflection, Elizabeth. I've also struggled to engage with advent over the years, but this one is different for a number of reasons, with events in Israel / Palestine making reflections on the darkness before the coming light all too relatable this year.
Am currently reading (or, more accurately, listening to, via audiobook) Tish Harrison Warren's book on advent, which is wonderful.
Two very different advent songs that I come back to through the years are 'The Light Came Down' by Josh Garrels and 'Isaiah 11' by Rain for Roots
I sympathize with the need for advent this year, and also the inability to remain in the somber portion most years. It has been a heavy season. (Also I have a reflection coming out tomorrow that is partially a meditation on Christian Wiman's "Sorrow's Flower". His vibe is definitely on point here.)
Poetry and short stories are often neglected in my reading habits, but the library has furnished me with several books of both to enjoy this Advent season!