A LITURGY FOR THE ART OFLIVING IN ADVENT Written by Heather Winchell Inspired by The Art of Living in Advent by Sylvie Vanhoozer

A LITURGY FOR THE ART OFLIVING IN ADVENT Written by Heather Winchell Inspired by The Art of Living in Advent by Sylvie Vanhoozer

Printable/Shareable Liturgy Document HERE (includes 3 copies)

A LITURGY FOR THE ART OF LIVING IN ADVENT Written by Heather Winchell Inspired by The Art of Living in Advent by Sylvie Vanhoozer

"The Art of Joyful waiting involves not learning to bide one’s time until something exciting happens but, rather, to stand by, alert for opportunities to welcome and join the One who is always/already there to welcome us, even when his presence and activity are not visibly obvious” -Sylvie Vanhoozer in her introduction to The Art of Living in Advent

Our prayer for you as you enter this Advent season is that it would be so much more than the four weeks leading up to Christmas. We pray that it will be a season of intentional slowing and standing by - lingering and remembering that the wonder of it all is that Christ came and He will come again. 

As a team, we are journeying through The Art of Living in Advent by our friend Sylvie Vanhoozer. The book is centered around ideas of watchful waiting, attention, and reflection. Each day ends with delightful invitations from the author to take the concepts further. Whether you are reading along with us or not, we offer these prompts and questions as a way to help you linger, as Sylvie said, with “the One who is always/already there to welcome us.”


Linger in…
Watchful waiting: 

  • Identify a circumstance or situation in which His presence and activity are not visibly obvious. Over the next week, hold this daily in prayer and take note of any movement (large or seemingly small) you sense within your perspective or experience of His presence.

  • Take note of “tiny miracles” throughout your day - evidences of His grace, provision, and care


Attention: 

  • Create a tangible, visual representation of Psalm 37:7. This could be writing, drawing, painting, collaging, a photograph - get creative! Seek to get your eyes on this daily and be reminded of the great comfort it brings!

  • Go on an Advent walk and gather items from your local place to remind you that Christ is HERE just as he was in Bethlehem

  • Start a botanical journal

  • Begin each day of Advent with the liturgy provided


Reflection: 

  • What did the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas look like in your home? Did your family observe the tradition of Advent? 

  • What traditions were a meaningful part of that four weeks? What fruit or outcome did those traditions produce? 

  • What do you want to stop, start, or continue regarding the ways you have historically entered this season?

 

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