Advent is a season observed by many Christians as a time of preparation and expectant waiting for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The term comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Many people like to go through a set of readings during Advent. For me, having one word to contemplate throughout the day and looking for an image to capture that word allows me to practice Advent in a simple, accessible, and integrated way that flows with the rhythms of my life.
The practice of capturing one photo a day throughout Advent has enabled me to live with eyes wide open, in both a physical and spiritual sense. In the midst of the hubbub of December, it has allowed me to slow down and be attentive to my life. It has been such a rich practice over the past few years that I wanted to continue it this Advent.
One of the themes for me this year has been embodiment. What does it mean that we live in and experience life and God through our bodies? What does it mean that God was born, grew up, lived, and died in a human body? This Advent, I have chosen prompts that have to do with the body. My hope is that in paying attention to our bodies and experiencing them more fully, we might be able to see God in them and appreciate Jesus – God with flesh on – all the more.
Many of our metaphors and ways we describe life come from our bodily experiences. My hope is that these prompt words would serve as reflection points both literally and figuratively. I’ve also grouped them loosely around the four traditional Advent themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, which are the words for each of the four Sundays of Advent.
Recently, I read about the posture of “being ‘given’ a picture rather than ‘taking’ a picture,” from a local photographer, Michael Pasche, which describes how I hope each of us can approach this Advent Photo practice. Perhaps not all the words will make their way into photograph form, that’s ok. The intention is to stay open and allow yourself to be drawn into communion with God, however subtly, through the daily practice of meditating on one word.
I would love to know if you are joining me in this practice. If you decide to post your photo on social media, remember to tag it #AdventPhoto2018. For those who want a black and white printable version, click here.
My prayer is that this Advent, we would encounter anew The Word Made Flesh as we anticipate the arrival of Jesus, who is Love Embodied.
[Edit to add] Our church community of the Tapestry Mundy Park has decided to do a modified version of this practice. You can choose one or as many words in a week, as you’re able. I wanted to share it here in case it would be helpful.
