#AdventWord Reflections from the Second Week of Advent

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As in year’s past, ECCT is participating in #AdventWord. Each day during Advent, we post the daily #AdventWord on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feed. We welcome and encourage everyone to join in commenting in response to day’s post with a word, thought, image, poem, prayer, or whatever the Spirit prompts in you each day. Below you will find the comments posted on each day’s word on our Facebook and Instagram feed. We welcome you to read, look, listen, and reflect on our first week walking through Advent together.

#everlasting

December 6

Everlasting: what would that be? Change is always in the wind. Nothing lasts–we all say it! Things gone away, don’t come again. Yet God brings love that’s everlasting–Who comprehends this awesome prize? Advent recalls all that He’s given–the Christ Child comes before our eyes! The earth will turn, the valleys deepen, Eons shall pass–and so will we, but God’s been there: Alpha, Omega–This promise kept for you and me!

Sandy Marshall
The feeling we have
when seed forms and scatters –
everlasting
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Martha Rogers

Forever – and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Evelyn Morgan

#offering

December 7

offering –
when we gift the things that
bring joy to our heart
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
painting by @thecurlyhairedpainter
Ronald Steed

The affection I get from my flock

Margaret Breen

#messenger

December 8

Years ago when I was a Canon in the Diocese of South Dakota, I was honored by my Lakota friends who gave me one of their ancestors names, “Winyan Hanska”. They gave other gifts too, including 2 red tail hawk feathers. I was told that the red tail hawk would companion me on my life’s journey. Since then hawks have become my messengers. The sighting of hawks, by myself and my family members, always seems to message us in some way. I was given the hawk symbol due to their keen vision and thanked for my spiritual visioning.

Martha Rogers

Isaiah 52:7 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” How can I be the messenger of “good news, peace and good tidings”? In this Advent season, how can I get excited about the incarnation of our Savior and spread that anticipation to others? The true Christmas spirit of kindness, giving, caring, loving can do so much at this time of year especially for those for whom it is maybe not be a joyful time. What can we do?

Ginnie Glassman
the one who tells us
things that will transform us –
messenger
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Sometimes a messenger has a sacred task: telling of God’s love; sometimes they have a secular task: carrying documents or other items from one business to another. Both risk, willingly or not, long-term or short, being responsible for that message and it’s delivery. There are consequences.

Karin Hamilton

#splendor

December 9

Casey Rousseau
splendor –
the thing we see at moments
when hope is in us
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

When I gave my life to God and he healed my mind , heart, and soul. He waited patiently for me.

Carol Rapuano

#repent

December 10

Yet knowing how way leads on to way…. Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”
In this hour, I turned to focus on the clutter of my world. The car needed repair; the groceries needed unpacking; the laundry sat in a pile; colleagues’ voices filled my head with chatter and gossip; the TV news muttered and grumbled till I was deaf with it. I did not stop. I did hear Christ this hour. I did not see Christ in these tasks. I did not try.
Christ is here waiting for me to turn and see. I repent.
In this month, there has been so much to do. I have wandered in the valley of holiday preparations, on a crooked path I worked my way from one task to the next – baking and decorating and shopping. My view obscured by mountains of paperwork and Internet traffic and worldly cares. I huddled in the darkness and cold of December gloom. I forgot to watch the sunset; I forgot to see the glory of the winter dawn; I did not see the light. I forgot why the garland drapes the house and candles embellish the mantle. I forgot why we roast turkey and bake cookies. A tree sits in the center of my house; the crèche sits hidden on a corner table.
Christ is here waiting for me to turn and see. I repent.
In this troublesome year, I despaired. I depended on the security of my house and my savings account and my stores of groceries. I depended on masks and vaccines. I listened the voices of CDC and government officials. I trembled at the voices of dissent and rebellion. I feared a changing world; I feared the darkness. I forgot to see Christ. I forgot to look for Christ.
Christ is here waiting for me to turn and see. I repent.
Begin again. Make all things new. Make straight the path. Turn away from the voices of the world. Fill the low places with the words of the Lord. Take down the Mountains of the world that obscure the horizon. Turn around. Prepare the way. Stop. See down the cleared path. See the salvation of God
Beverly Olsen
the feeling one has
when a new way beckons –
repent
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

#compassion

December 11

My dog with hospice patient …
Daphne Wilcox

For me you never know what anyone is going through ever so I always try to choose compassion before judgement or criticism.

Page Daniel

Martha Rogers
not there to stop tears
but sit with as they gather –
compassion
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

#expectation

December 12

expectation –
that at any moment
spirit can be there
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Casey Rousseau

Learn more about the global #AdventWord community.

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