Preparing for Advent

November 25, 2009 · by Christine

Sunday the season of Advent begins. Advent is my favorite liturgical season in large part because of the time of year when it falls here in the northern hemisphere.  My heart expands in the growing darkness of winter days and Advent calls me to tend to what is birthing in me.

During the Advent season I will be posting weekly reflections and some visual meditations.

Here are some other recommended resources to support you in this time of waiting and anticipation:

*Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas*
by John Blase

I first met John a few years ago at a wonderful writing workshop in New Mexico and was really touched then by the depth and quality of his reflections. So I was delighted when he released this book recently, a retelling of the nativity stories in Luke.  He enters into the landscape of the narrative with such a sense of tenderness and awe, these meditations are lovely for both the Advent and Christmas seasons.

These next two suggestions aren’t specifically about Advent, but their themes help to break open Advent’s deeper meanings –

*Let There Be Night: Testimony on Behalf of the Dark* edited by Paul Bogard

This is a collection of essays in celebration of nighttime and darkness.  I loved this book and am sure I will be quoting from it in the weeks to come.  Many beautiful and deeply poetic expressions of the gifts of the dark.  Advent is all about waiting and resting in the tender space of unknowing.  The growing darkness of the season helps to immerse us in the fruitful womb-space of this time of year and begin to see the waiting as a necessary part of the cycle of our own births.

*Haiku–The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in Three Lines (The Art of Spiritual Living)* by Margaret McGee

I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of this book for an endorsement which I was happy to give.  I love the practice of writing haikus as way to give honor to a moment in time and I often find myself moved to jot down a few words while on a walk or awake at dawn.  Writing poetry is about paying close attention to the world and haiku is an accessible form for even the most fearful of budding poets.  I highly recommend this book as a way to commit to the art of presence in this season, presence to all the ways God comes bursting through an ordinary moment.

*Crossing the Threshold: New Year, New Beginnings* by me!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my newest Reflective Art Journal.  Stop by the Abbey Shop and click on the title link to read the introduction and see some sample pages.  This issue reflects on a variety of cultural New Year celebrations including January 1st, Norouz (Spring Equinox), Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Samhain (Celtic New Year), and Advent (Christian New Year).   I explore each one briefly and then offer reflections and suggestions for practices to help make your own new year ritual more meaningful whenever you celebrate.

Please feel free to add your own Advent recommendations in the comments below – both book and music suggestions are very welcome!

*** The Poetry Party will be going on all week, so stop by and read the beautiful jewels of gratitude being strung there – glimmering moments that evoke a spontaneous sense of thanks – and contribute your own poem! ***

© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

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