It has been a few years since I have done a "word a day" for Advent. I haven't had it in me, truth be known. But this year, something inside me felt right, there was space for it. So, I created a "word a day" that included some nature in it and am using it with Bamboo Encounter, the outdoor worship that I facilitate monthly since 2015.
It has been a good practice for me this Advent Season to reflect on the words daily, to photograph something, to post something.
Here is the post I made for the overall "challenge" and below that you will find the words and posts for Advent 1.
Advent is coming. (December 1-25)
I haven't done one of these in several years, but the space was there for me to put one together this year. It's an Advent Photo-A-Day challenge. I used typical Advent words plus some from Advent hymns that had a nature theme.
This year, I will be focusing on God's creation as I journey through Advent. Each day of Advent has a word. You are invited to take a photo of what comes to mind from the word... or draw something.
From the challenge: Advent is a time to reflect on the coming of the Christ child. As part of your preparation this season, consider joining in this semi nature-focused photo-a-day challenge with words from nature themed Advent songs by drawing or taking a picture that represents the day’s word and posting it to social media sites of your choice (FaceBook, Instagram, etc). You are also invited to share your post on the Bamboo Encounter FaceBook page, using the hashtags: #AdventPhoto, #(word of the day), #BambooEncounter when you post.
WORDS:
December 1— Hope
December 2— Wait
December 3— Darkness
December 4— Prepare
December 5— Light
December 6— Creator
December 7— Promise
December 8— Peace
December 9— Nature
December 10—Gift
December 11— Wonder
December 12—Alert
December 13— Stars
December 14— Wilderness
December 15— Joy
December 16— Dawn
December 17— Earth
December 18— Longing
December 19—Clouds
December 20— Journey
December 21—Heaven
December 22— Love
December 23—Anticipation/Expectation
Christmas Eve, December 24—Rest
Christmas Day, December 25— Birth/Born
If you would like a PDF version, email bambooencounter@gmail.com and request one.
I am looking forward to this journey.
Debra, Bamboo Encounter
December 1--
Today's Advent word is #hope. Here is my Advent wreath. What brings me hope? Experiencing Creator in creation and noticing how creation makes a way when there seems to be no way. #AdventPhoto #AdventWord2024 #BambooEncounter
December 2--
Today's word is #wait.
I wouldn't have needed to wait if I had attempted to outrun the arms, like the guy behind me wanted me to do. I am okay with waiting. He wasn't happy. I got out of my car and in Spanish (because that was at least one of his languages), I asked if there was a problem. I stayed near my car, but I was a tad frustrated. I wasn't going to risk my neck so he could get on through. So we waited. And waited. It was a slow train. I blew bubbles with my bubble stash. I asked forgiveness for the name in Spanish that arose so quickly in my frustration toward someone I didn't know.
Waiting can be unexpected at times. It reveals our character. Today it revealed to me that even when I am okay to wait, someone else can push my buttons. Keeping a calm, non-anxious presence while waiting takes practice. And bubbles. Bubbles offer me the chance to breathe and recieve peace.
By waiting, I lost nothing. I gained insight. Plus I didn't endanger myself or others.
#AdventWord #AdventPhoto
December 3--
Today's word is #darkness.
I went outside in the chilly air to check out the night sky. In the darkness, the lights from the stars shone brightly in the dark. The stars were visible because of the clear night and it was easy to see their light contrast the dark surroundings. I wonder how visible the light in each of us shines in the dark? Does our light contrast the dark surroundings? As I learned at camp, "it only takes a spark". May the light within each of us shine and glow brightly.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord2024
December 4--
On Wednesdays I go to Welcome Home of Chattanooga as a volunteer chaplain. My role varies, depending on what people need. Today I had some good conversations with several people. I also made a scrambled egg sandwich for a resident. Since that isn't my typical act of service, I needed to search for the needed items to make it. We may not always know where to find things, but we can look. We may not think our act of service is going to include making a sandwich, but we can be open to the opportunity. How can I prepare for the unexpected? By being open to the present moment and willing to offer all that I have and am. As I prepare during this Advent season for the coming of the Christ child, somehow I think I was already in his presence today.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord2024
December 5--
Today's word is #light.
I think about light often. You might say it's a favorite reflection. ;)
Light shows up best in the dark.
These lights on the trees here don't show up in the light. Their brightness is only revealed in the dark.
Maybe that's what causes me to enter into darkness more willingly for myself or to walk it with others.
I know that light will shine. It will be seen in the darkness.
Will it be my light? Your light? Our lights together? I don't know.
What I do know is there is beauty in light, especially light that shines in the dark.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord
December 6--
Today's word is #Creator.
Do you ever feel compelled to get out into creation? I do. Today, in fact, I felt the urge to get in some woods and water time with the Creator. Time with Creator always calms my soul, clears my mind, and restores peace. Being in creation allows me to see, hear, and smell things differently. The different perspective helps me listen more closely to the One who knows me best, the One who created me. I am grateful for some Creator time today in the woods and by the water. It was an ADVENTure. :)
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord
December 7--
As I mulched part of the backyard today, I made a path with the mower. It wasn't a complete labyrinth. It was more a simple path. Yet, in creating it, I realized I was being true to the playful and fun parts of me. That offered me joy. What struck me is that I realized I am committed to living into my true self-- the play, the fun. There have been many times over the years that I buried that part of me. To honor all that God created in me, I am committed to being open to what God is teaching me in this area and to living it out. A commitment is a promise. It's one for me to remember not only during this Advent season, but through the year. #AdventPhoto #AdventWord
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If you're interested in joining in for the rest of the Advent season, it's not too late. Start now. With the word of the day for today (whatever day you are reading this).
Happy Advent!
Rev. Deb
