A few weeks ago, I read Andy Crouch’s book Culture Making (from IVP) . This book is simply amazing and the website is pretty incredible too. It’s one of those books that made me wish I could discuss one chapter each week with my friends in a bible study.
In the book, Crouch says, "We make sense of the world by making something of the world. The human quest for meaning is played out in human making: the finger-painting, omelet-stirring, chair-crafting, snow-swishing activities of culture. Meaning and making go together–culture you could say, is the activity of making meaning."
Which brings me to today’s Random Act of Poetry. Christine Sine of Godspace and Mustard Seed Associates posted her advent meditation (which I’m going to call a poem for the sake of this post). Typically, I’m not a fan of psalm-style poetry, but this is really good. Christine uses anaphora , repetition, rhythm, and antithesis to great effect.
More than that, I wanted to feature Christine’s interest in a project called Make Something Day . The idea is a little bit like Advent Conspiracy without the guilt. (Nothing against Advent Conspiracy, mind you, my family is planning to participate.) But Make Something Day is simpler. On the day after Thanksgiving, when the whole world goes to the mall, stay home and make something instead. In fact, if you’re feeling ambitious, make as many of your presents this year as you can.
Christine talks about making Lavender Lotion, but in my opinion, she’s already completed her homework with this Advent Meditation and especially the accompanying video (also embedded below).
In this Advent season we await the coming of Christ
Child of promise come,
Revealer of God come,
Bringer of life come,
Come to the beaten and the battered,
Come to the despised and rejected
Come to all in whom the divine image is still distorted
We wait in joyful expectation.
Come not as an distant emperor but as a helpless babe
Come not as a prince in a gold palace, but as a displaced and frightened refugee
Come not as a man of power, but in love and compassion
Come to those outcast like shepherds in the field
Come to foreigners like Magi watching from afar
Come to rich and poor, young and old, male and female,
We wait in hopeful anticipation
Come to bless all creation with your love
Come to bring salvation on the earth
Come to rule with justice and in peace
Come Child of promise, open the windows of our hearts
Come Christ of compassion, open the doors of our homes
Come Prince of Peace, open the pathways to our lives
We wait with all the peoples of the earth
Child of hope we welcome your coming
Christ of life we welcome your coming
King of glory we welcome your coming
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Last year, we began a new tradition… making a quilt on the days we’re together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each family member, even the kids 8 and up made a nine-patch square, then embroidered his/her name or initials and the date on the square.
It was amazing how much talk this activity inspired. Both serious and hilarious. Also, the weaving of stories and dreams. And of course we won’t forget how one family member accidentally fooled another by calling “applique” by the term “applecakes.” Soon the other member was asking how he should do his “applecakes.” Enduring family joke now.
Anyway, we figure the quilt might be ready by the time we have grandchildren. : )
Very nice!
Thanks for the reminder to slow down and take care of the inner person.
R:)
Oops. I forgot to talk about the poem, I got so carried away with my quilt story.
I think the video is the best way to experience it… it slows the poem down… very powerful that way… love the art… and of course the flute music… poem reminds me of Celtic song…
I love the poem! Beautiful. And I love the idea of making things…my friend is doing an all handmade Christmas with her family. Her four kids are actively participating and are very excited about it…what a wonderful idea! LL, I love the quilt idea. That will be a beautiful heirloom for generations to come!
Amen, amen, amen! I was blessed beyond words….
utterly fantastic! i was just speaking about advent with my spiritual director this afternoon. i shall savor these words for a long season.
Thanks for featuring my video and for the very affirming comments. have found that making these is a wonderful boost to my faith. I agree that Make Something Day is a great innovation and I hope that others will post creative ideas of things that people can make.
Blessings