Advent 2 2019 photos and reflections

Here are the photos and reflections for week 2 of the Advent photo-a-day challenge.  As with week 1, I'll post the word of the day and the accompanying questions along with my photo and reflections.  Advent is a paradoxical time.  It is a time to slow down and reflect, yet everything is still going on quickly around us, at least in my world.  It takes being intentional for me to slow down, to focus, to reflect, to center.  That's why I choose to focus on a word a day.  This week's words were: peace, justice, gift, reflection, freedom, faithfulness, and wonder.


Week 2:

Today's word is #peace. (If you're following my preaching series, then you know I forgot to switch "hope" and "peace" for the first two Sundays, but that's okay.) What is "peace" to/for you? As you reflect on the word "peace" during this Advent season, where do you need peace most? How can you be peace for others? What depicts peace to you? #peace #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #peace. I always enjoyed seeing this wreath yearly in my 1st appointment at Simpson UMC in Rossville. Quiet time brings me peace. Time with Cliff brings me peace. As peace is needed in this Advent season, may it be available. #peace #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #justice. How does this word fit into the Advent season for you? Where is justice needed? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #justice #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #justice. This is one of many local murals that captures justice for me. It reminds me that we are a diverse people, that we are on land that belonged to others first, and that we are still fighting for justice for so many. Amos is my go-to for justice--- Amos 5:24--"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" #justice #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #gift. Gifts can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be tangible or intangible. What gifts are you giving this Advent season to others? What gifts are you receiving? When you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #gift #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #gift. This gift is Charlie. Through Charlie's life, I have received gifts of love, grace, forgiveness, compassion, among others. Charlie's giftedness in music and art have been gifts shared with others over the years. I am grateful for this gift of life that I am privileged to share. #gift #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

 Today's word is #reflection. The Advent season is a time for reflection. As you move through this pilgrimage journey of Advent, what are your reflections? What things have been stirring in your heart, mind, and soul? What comes to mind when you ponder the word "reflection"? #reflection #adventphot #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #reflection. The photo is from Cumberland State Park. Notice how still the water is and because of that, the reflection is clearly visible. When I slow down, I can reflect more clearly. This Advent season I need time to be still, to reflect, and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me beside the calm waters. May it be so. #reflection #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #freedom. How/Where are you experiencing freedom this Advent season? How/Where do you need to experience freedom? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #freedom #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #freedom. I was trying to pair this picture with another one, but I may make two posts. I felt freedom as I glided through the air. It was one of my top life experiences. I chose the Isaiah verse to go with the photo.#freedom #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

My second #freedom post. Now it is evident why I wanted these two photos to go together. This depicts freedom. Fly like an eagle. #freedom #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #faithfulness. What comes to mind as your reflect on this word? How do you depict this word? #faithfulness #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #faithfulness. Cliff is a faithful companion to us. His love is faithful and unconditional. His faithfulness spurs me on to be a better person. #faithfulness #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #wonder. What fills you with wonder this Advent season? Have you made room for wonder this year? If not, how can you make some room in the remaining days of Advent for wonder? What comes to mind as you reflect on the word "wonder"? #wonder #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #wonder. Christmas trees cause me to wonder. As we decorated the other night, certain ornaments made me wonder how certain people were doing. I wondered about family as we put my Nana's bobby pin ribbons on the limbs. Her handwriting was in the box top for the ribbons. She had written a Hawaii address and a Colorado one. I recognized both and wondered about family. Thinking of Nana and family reminded me of Christmas times in Colorado when stringed popcorn was the garland. I can sit and stare at the lights for time on end, in wonder and awe. Advent season is a time of waiting, mystery, wonder, awe, all mixed together. We know, but we don't fully know. The here, but the not yet. I wonder as I wander. I wander as I wonder. I follow the light of the One who came and is coming. #wonder #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

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Thanks for being part of my journey this Advent season, 

Debra

Advent 1 2019--photo a day challenge photos and reflections

It's that time of year again-- Advent.  The season of preparation, of reflection, of slowing down.  How do I slow down?  One way I slow down is that I participate in a photo-a-day challenge.  Contemplative photography is one of the spiritual disciplines that helps me focus and slow down, one that is especially needed during the busy time of Advent.

I will post the calendar for the Advent season, the daily word, along with the questions, and my post with photo and reflections.  As I have been reading other people's posts this week, I have been encouraged by their words and photos.  I encourage you to do a search using the hashtags for each day, along with #adventphoto to find some of these posts too.

Week 1

Advent begins today, December 1. The pilgrimage journey toward the birth of Christ begins anew. Where do you see hope this season? Where do you need hope? What depicts hope to/for you? Reflect on today's word #hope. Share a photo here or a reflection. #hope #advent2019 #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's Advent word is #hope. As I stood on the deck drinking my coffee, I noticed the fledgling tree. It reminds me of the tiny tree my aunt and I watched year by year at my great grandfather's home in south Georgia. We hoped it would grow. It did. Will this tree grow? What is its roots system? Does it have enough support? It is a little too close to the fence and may need to be replanted for its health and ultimate growth. Replanting is a part of life. Moving to new locations. A new (-ish) tree. New life. This gives me hope. #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's Advent word is #wait. Advent is a waiting season. As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? Are you waiting for anything specific? How does the activity of waiting play a role in your spiritual formation? #wait #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's Advent word is #wait. As the season begins, how will "wait" and "waiting" be part of the journey for me this season? Where and when will I need to wait? How will I handle the times of wait? Will I watch and listen? Will I grow impatient? As I watched Cliff eye the turkey, in hopes of receiving some, I noticed his attentiveness. Whatever comes this season, may I wait in a posture of hope, attentiveness, and calmness. #wait #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #darkness. Often there are dark periods on a journey or pilgrimage, spiritual or otherwise. What can we learn in these times of darkness? How do you go through the times of darkness? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? How does "darkness" play a role in your spiritual formation? #darkness #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's Advent word is #darkness. The photo is from last week, an early morning view while it was still dark, somewhat. I have learned to appreciate darkness. Darkness isn't all bad or evil. Darkness can provide a space for growth for the recently planted seed in the soil. Much happens that is not seen until the shoot pushes through the ground. There is life and growth even if not visible. A song in my brain all day contains this line: "in him there is no darkness at all." This is from "I want to walk as a child of the light." Jesus, as the Light, offers light to see that even darkness can be good and helpful. A link to the song: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-i-want-to-walk-as-a-child-of-the-light

#darkness #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #preparation. What preparations are you making for this Advent season? Or, have you considered Advent as something for which to prepare? What preparations could be made for the Advent season rather than looking ahead to the Christmas season (which begins on Christmas day)? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #preparation #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #preparation. This is me getting my flu shot. I am doing what I can to be prepared for the flu season that is upon us. I know I am late to the game or party or whatever analogy you want to use. However, being late doesn't exclude me from preparing. It meant making time in my daily routine. It meant wearing a short sleeve shirt. It meant making preparations for the preparation. To prepare is to be intentional. How am I being intentional and preparing this Advent season? I am making time to read, to reflect, to be. I am attempting to open myself anew to the wonders of the Christ child. What about all those other preparations for the season? You know, the ones in the church and at home? Thankfully, at church, there is a host of helpers! At home, we'll get to it. The external preparations are less important to me than the internal, but I am looking forward to decorating. #preparation #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #light. When you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? How does "light" play a role for you this Advent season or in your spiritual formation overall? #light #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #light. Candles are a go-to for me, as they brighten up even the darkest space. One candle, shining even a small amount of light, can make a difference. Be the light. #light #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #sign. Are you looking for a sign this Advent season? What would you hope a sign would show or reveal? #sign #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #sign. I saw this sign while we were in L.A. visiting my stepdaughter and her husband a couple of spring breaks back. This sign was in the building where her business is located. "Love is the way." Yes! May we find a way to allow love to be the way everyday and not solely during this Advent season as we journey toward the One who embodies love with us, God with us, Emmanuel. #sign #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #ponder. What comes to mind as your reflect on this word? What things do you ponder this Advent season? What depicts "ponder" for you? #ponder #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #ponder. I ponder the Scripture posted on Bamboo Encounter this morning-- Isaiah 55:12. As I look out over the back yard, I look through the trees and toward the mountain/hill. I imagine the joy expressed through God's creation. Though the trees are quiet in the moment and there is no clapping, when the winds come, there is clapping, as in the bamboo. Creation speaks to us if we listen. May I make time to listen. #ponder #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

These are the pictures, questions, and reflections for Advent 1.  Tomorrow begins Advent 2.  May there be ongoing peace on your Advent pilgrimage journey toward the Christ child.

Debra