First Sunday of Advent

 Advent is my favorite liturgical season. I love the purple banners, the four candles on the altar, the readings from the prophets, and the contemplative music. 

I especially relish the way this season stands in stark contrast to the frenetic activity of the world around me. Just as the world is flashing brighter lights, the church is dimming her lights and waiting.

Advent is a four-week season that marks the beginning of a new church year. The first half of the church year walks through the life of Jesus from his birth (celebrated at Christmas) until his death and resurrection (celebrated at Easter).

Historically, the four weeks of Advent were set aside as a time of preparation for baptism. The church today now observes Advent as a four-week period to prepare for our celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas.I am filled with gratitude for the ways the Lord has fulfilled my hopes and yet my heart breaks in the reality that all is not yet set to rights.  Christ has come and yet we walk in darkness waiting for the coming of Jesus in glory.

Advent gives the church an opportunity to anticipate the coming of Jesus as our true fulfillment and our longing for his coming again. Credit: Margie Fawcett, Deacon, Church of the Resurrection Wheaton Illinois 

mistakes

 “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

― Albert Einstein

A photo of my most recent oil painting resting on my studio book shelf. I had problems with this painting and still do. My emotional reaction is to toss it aside, or hide it in a closet and forget it. But my rational brain tells me to save it, savor it, learn from the struggle, learn from the mistakes. 

Maybe I have not succeeded in making the image I had envisioned, that almost never really happens anyway. But I have worked, learned, made a lot of mistakes and tried something new. Next painting!

fear of perfection

 “Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.”

― Salvador Dali

My art lesson taking place out of doors on a bright autumn day with a group of enthusiastic fifth graders. The quote about perfection is one that needs to be repeated, or some version of it when teaching children. (except for very young children who have no fear of failure!) I have the kids all arranged and instructed to draw this tree , not just draw a tree but to draw this particular tree on this day. I wanted them to really learn to look.

I sat across from the group and drew them on that particular day! I used their school art paper and their crayola paints to demonstrate the lesson.