I wasn't sure if I would have time to put together the Advent photo-a-day challenge calendar again this year, but I did. I was able to get it together and the Advent Scripture reading plan. I enjoy putting together materials that might help someone else in their spiritual practices. I am using the Advent photo-a-day in my own Advent journey this year, along with an online course on Advent photography through BeADisciple.com. It has been a while since I have taken or taught a class through them and I am enjoying being in an online environment for this Advent season to focus on photography as a spiritual practice.
In this post I will share the overall calendar, each day for this past week (with the questions and/or thoughts), and the pictures I posted (with the reflections).
What are you doing to help you reflect this Advent season?
Peace on your adventurous journey!
Debra
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| Advent Photo-A-Day 2018 |
Today begins the Advent season and the Photo-A-Day challenge. It's an opportunity to reflect on the word and look around you to find something that depicts the word. Whether you simply reflect on the word, take a photo or find a photo, the main point is to open ourselves to Christ during this Advent season.
Today's word is #hope. What gives you hope? Where do you find/see hope?#adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #hope. I decided to post a collage. This morning's sunlight through the fog, a hanging of the greens service, and a hope mug that will become part of my Advent wreath-- all these and more have brought hope to me today as I reflect on Advent.#adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #wait. Advent is a season of waiting. Is there something specific for which you are waiting? What is it? Or, what does the word "wait" bring out in you? How do you react to it? As you reflect on today's word, what in your surroundings speak to you? #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #wait. I came down to the river to reflect and walk a little. As I wait on the sunset, I reflect the beauty of the sky with the wispy clouds. I reflect on this full day. I am grateful. As I wait and watch, the clouds change formation. I wonder how my formation, like the clouds, continues to change in the wait. #wait #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #darkness. Darkness is an integral part of life, as is light. What does darkness mean for you? At different times, darkness will likely mean different things, such as difficulty and depression or rest and growth. If you are going through a 'dark night of the soul', it might be the former. If you are in a room void of light and trying to get a good sleep, it might be the second one. If you think of a seed in the dark soil of the earth, darkness relates to growth. What comes to mind for you when you think of today's word? #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #darkness. There may be clouds covering the sky, but there is almost a heart in the middle of it all. Darkness allows for rest, calm, quiet, healing, and growth. It is not always a negative thing. #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #preparation. What preparations are you making this Advent season? What comes to mind as you reflect on this word today?#adventphoto #holstongap
Yesterday's word was #preparation. Nothing came to me during the day, though I reflected. This morning I went out side to see the sunrise and frost was on the car. I found a tiny scraper and got the defrost going, so the high schooler might get there on time. The scraper was the right tool that I needed, even though I didn't realize it was there to use. Sometimes we have tools and resources available to use, for our preparation, and we don't know of them until we look around and/or look inside. #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #light. What does the word mean to you? What brings light into your life? How do you share light with others? When you think about light, what comes to mind? #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #light. The sunrise brings not only light, but colors to the start of a day. I am reminded that the new day allows a fresh start. Light brightens. Light clarifies. Light reveals. The beauty of this light is that even if we can't see it, literally or metaphorically, the light continues to shine. There is light in each of us. May I allow the light in me to shine so that others can see. #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #sign. What sign got your attention today? What does the word sign mean to/for you? Maybe for you it isn't a noun, but a verb today. What meaningful document has come into your path to sign? As you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind for you this Advent season? #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #sign. I saw this sign this summer in front of a home in Greensboro, NC. I inquired about the sign and the home owner gave it to me. Their neighborhood had quite a few signs. I have since bought a bundle and sold them at cost. My thought is maybe we can place the signs and have a ripple effect of "love and acceptance". In today's world, it seems countercultural to need to let folks know that as individuals and communities we practice love rather than hate, yet it is a need. As the sign says, "love and acceptance practiced here". I don't get it perfectly right all the time, but forgiveness and grace fill in the gaps when I mess up. #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #ponder. What things do you "ponder"? What does this word bring up for you? As you reflect on this word today, what comes to mind? #adventphoto #holstongap
Today's word is #ponder. I gaze at this poinsettia, a flower named for a botanist who was an ambassador to Mexico. My pondering thoughts take me to this past Thursday when I struggled with some Spanish words in a store. The language I have been speaking for almost 40 years is rusty, due to lack of usage. I am looking forward to Wednesday and using it again, back at that same store as we set up a pop-up chapel on Virgin of Guadalupe day. Every time I become discouraged because I don't use Spanish as much as I would like, opportunities arise. As for forgetting words, I do that in English too. 😀 I don't know where things will lead, but Marcela Gándara's "un viaje largo" comes to mind. #adventphoto #holstongap
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