In many ways, the liturgical calendar is a tool for us to shape our lives like Jesus. We walk through the year in a prescribed way, hearing about Jesus's life with an invitation to follow. Beginning the year with Advent, we start with four weeks preparing ourselves for Christ's coming, both as a child and a victorious Lord of all.
For years, this has been an ongoing rhythm to our lives of faith for many of us, yet it has existed in the background. We notice the change in songs sung in worship or the color of the paraments in the sanctuary, but leave the discipline at the church door. This year, as we celebrate Advent apart, I invite you to craft your own way of marking this season, of letting the liturgical calendar shape your life of faith.
On Sunday, we began with the first Sunday in Advent. Even if you missed it, it is not too late to start! This year, there are two daily devotions that have been produced from people within the Indiana-Kentucky Synod which have been shared for all to use.
Storytellers from across IN-KY Synod have recorded stories for the Jesse tree for families to listen to and watch each day of Advent. You can make Jesse tree ornaments to hang on your own Jesse tree or simply enjoy the daily stories that walk through salvation history in preparation for Jesus’s birth.
These Advent/Christmas Devotions are provided to you as a gift from the participants of the IK Synod Spiritual Renewal Process – Inspire. Ignite. Invite. Siblings in Christ from 22 congregations began meeting in April 2020. During the monthly ZOOM meetings participants learned a variety of spiritual practices, wrote their own descriptions of spirituality, led small groups in their own congregations, developed relationships with others across the synod, and deepened their own spirituality.
Last week's newsletter had a lot of other ideas to celebrate Advent at home. You are always welcome to join our contemplative worship on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm. (Just email pastorlecia@risenlordlc.org for the login info!)
I pray that this season will be a time to connect deeper into your faith as we eagerly anticipate the coming of Christ!
In the abiding hope of the Risen Lord,
Pastor Lecia