Creating Art in Advent

Advent is a time of watching & waiting – of preparation and devotion.  But more often than not, the days leading up to the Christmas holiday are quickly filled with tasks, errands, and obligations.  Expectations – both those placed on us by others and those we place on ourselves – replace moments of anticipation.  Written devotionals, while helpful for some, only fill our minds with more words and worries.  What we desire – what we need – is a call to quietude and permission to enter Advent with imagination, creativity, and wonder.

What if creating art could be a way to enter Advent?  This weekly challenge is a way to allow yourself the space to create, share & inspire.  Each week in Advent, you are invited to create space for yourself to enter Advent by creating art.  Here’s how:

1. Log into Facebook and look up the theme for each week in Advent on the Art of the Passion fanpage.  The current post is a bit late, but future posts will be up on the preceding Saturday.

2. Watch for a word or phrase, image or experience that speaks to you about a weekly theme on Advent.  If you go attend a church, you may have heard or seen something.  Maybe you use a devotional or peruse the appointed Scripture.  Maybe it comes from somewhere else.  Don’t be overwhelmed – choose something you already do, and watch for the Advent theme.

2. Starting from that focus point (or general idea)- sketch, draw, paint, sew, photograph, weave, or otherwise visually explore the theme.  Limit yourself to no more than one hour.  Of course, we won’t know you if you spend more than an hour, but don’t let it be a stressful experience – it’s OK to allow it to be incomplete if the time runs out.

3. Log back into Facebook and share your creative exploration on the Art of the Passion fanpage.  Don’t worry about it being incomplete or imperfect – the whole season of Advent is a kind of “work in progress.”

Our hope is that by participating, you will find a space for your own creativity to be drawn into preparation and devotion; and that we all will be encouraged in our own watching & waiting.