AdventWord::Play

He heard (as did she) the words, make a joyful noise to the Lord.
And he played his trumpet, and sang.
And she sang from the very beginning.

Play. Sing. Send all glory right on back to the One who provided the gift in the first place.

AdventWord::Light

We will be a more luminous epiphany of the love of Christ not only when we love, but when we recognize Christ present in the loving hearts of others, whatever their beliefs or understanding of God.

– Br. Mark Brown

Light your lantern but do not look for love. Trespass into the dark. Bring light where darkness reigns. You're the answer you're looking for.
- John Patrick Shanley

So, from the words of my childhood worship, the language of my heart: Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:16 KJV

I love the thought then forming in my head from five or six as our Episcopalian pastor spoke those words. My light, coming from the very Light of the World, can shine. With joy and grace and peace, the light from within me isn't my creation, but a further expression of Christ in me. His response, his responsibility. My job is to allow the glow and not to extinguish it. Oh how simple it could be.

AdventWord::Proclaim

AdventWord::Proclaim

Proclaim
The gospel Jesus proclaims is that in God’s economy everyone will be fed, but we have to be willing to share from the riches that God has given us. In order to do that we have to stop and recognize the goodness that God has given us in our lives.
– Br. Jim Woodrum

The tools of proclamation.
Color and word celebrating the Creator's creation.
The truth of his majestic gift.
Love.
Sharing goodness.
Sharing life.

AdventWord::Listen

Listen.
In the deep, still quiet of the morning. I am listening.

And in the midst, a text of encouragement from my friend: "confess and let the pure water of grace flow over your mistakes."

Oh yes, I am listening.

AdventWord::Renew

Renew::Christ is all in all. He is here symbolically in a stone altar He is here sacramentally in bread and wine. He is here spiritually in hearts lifted up and returned to us renewed, transformed, consecrated. – Br. Mark Brown

I marvel at my friend Nancy Santullo. She's there on the left in the Rain Forest, where she's giving a significant portion of her live to serve, to renew, to love the people there and to help bring fresh water to their lives. There's so much more. Her short biography states brilliantly: "The essence of her activism is not only a functioning clean water source, or creating better hygiene and health — it is the building of a community that values, maintains and benefits together from its existence in their village."

Nancy has made her life to be about renewal. Through her presence, her love and her diligence. Hands and feet, you know?

You can read more about Nancy Santullo and Rain Forest Flow here. And, it is giving Tuesday!

AdventWord::Love

On the big board across from my desk.

It's the best reminder of the Savior's words in John:

John 13:34-35 The Message
34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

AdventWord::Shine

My dear friend Marjorie made me aware of #AdventWord.

A sort of Global Advent Calendar. It's up my origins alley. I grew up in the Episcopal church and have much to be grateful for those years. I learned to think there. I grew a tremendous vocabulary of belief and exploration.

So, I'm gladly in.

Today's word is SHINE.
And in true Reformed manner, I'm assured of this:

God's profound love shines through His creation.

Thanks Marjorie.