Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 3, Day 2

Tuesday, December 19, 2017:

Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

    Luke 1: 11-13

These verses reveal a lot about God and His plan for our future before we were ever born. We are reminded that He has known and planned for everyone to see the grace of God in Jesus the Christ.  John’s name means the “Grace of God” or gracious God.

Zechariah had prayed for a child for a very long time. This time the prayer is answered while he is at the altar,  by an angel of the Lord who appeared and called him by name.  Not only was Elizabeth going to have a son, but their son would be the forerunner for Jesus.

This had been God’s plan all along, yet Zechariah prayed year after year for a child... and possibly thought his prayer would never be answered.  He could not have known the answer to the prayer would be so much more than he had prayed for, that their son would make way for Jesus.

This passage reminds me that God does hear our prayers even if they seem to be unanswered. Even if we doubt that they will ever be answered, like Zechariah, we must not lose hope.  Rejoice and know that in God’s time, prayers will be answered and will bring unexpected blessings.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father for hearing our prayers and answering in your time. Thank you that you have the best answer, far greater than we might imagine. Align our prayers with your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Creative Call-to-Action: Make time to pray the prayers that you have prayed for a long time. As you pray, rest in God’s answer to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and reassure yourself that they will be answered in God’s timing and with His amazing grace. 

—Cindy Thompson

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 3, Day 1

Monday, December 18, 2017:

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

  Luke 1:5-7

Besides the miracle that is on the horizon, one of the things I notice most about this passage are the names.  Luke wants to give a historical account, but he also wants the reader to see the contrasts: King Herod, the political power, serves as the backdrop to the story. The priest named Zechariah, a descendant of Abijah and his wife Elizabeth, whose descendant is Aaron, are barren, and so not valued highly in society. Aaron’s name would have reminded anyone familiar with Jewish history of the great Exodus-- the liberation of God’s people from Egypt, a miraculous visit from an angel, and God’s faithfulness to the covenant.  Those with this lens would see that Luke’s Gospel presents a God seeking to fulfill the promises to God’s people, just like he did in Exodus.

The meaning behind the names are also enriching. Take, for example, Zechariah. His name means “The Lord Remembers” and Elizabeth can mean “The God of the Oath.”  When placed together, they echo Luke’s story: “The Lord of the Oath Remembers.” So amid Roman imperialism, religious subjugation, and economic difficulty, God is at work with a miracle, remembering the barren and the old, those who have not produced as society expects.

  This portion of the Gospel reminds us that we worship a God who does not forget us, no matter how unimportant we might seem to the likes of the King Herods of our world. We are loved not because of what we do, but because of who we are—the beloved children of God through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God of our weary years, God of our many tears, help us to trust that you continue to be with us, and have not forgotten us. Remind us that you are at work in our lives and in our world, through miracles large and small, making all things new and beautiful. Encourage us with the hope that you’re about to do something in our hearts, in our relationships, in our jobs, in our finances, and in our troubles. We pray in Jesus’s name, Amen!

Creative Call-to-Action: Write down a miracle God has performed in your life. Where were you, what did you feel, what had you been praying for, who was there and who/what was affected? Share this story with someone who may not know about it.  —Rev. Edwin Estevez

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 2, Day 5

Friday, December 15, 2017:

They will not hurt or destroy    on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord    as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

          Isaiah 11: 9-10

  Lately it seems that each week there is a new terror attack or act of violence that claims the lives of innocent people.  Those who love God and try to live righteously may get discouraged living among the turmoil and wickedness of our day. Hope may begin to seem unrealistic. Yet our hope is not in society. Our hope is in the Lord of all creation; a God who is still in charge and is actively at work transforming the world.

At times of discouragement, it is important to look at the “bigger picture” of God’s plan to realize that righteousness will eventually prevail.  Isaiah 11 is about God’s Peaceful Kingdom, the “bigger picture,” and contains a message of hope concerning what God will do for his children.  No pain or destruction; what a wonderful thing for which to hope!

  This scripture passage made me think of a few stanzas of the beloved Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: 

And in despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth, I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth, good will to [all].”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

  the wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

with peace on earth, good will to [all].”

  Prayer: God, thank you for your marvelous promises.  Please help me to trust in these promises and hope for your Peaceful Kingdom.  Help me to live as an instrument of your peace.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

  Creative Call-to-Action:  Sing or listen to the Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on                Christmas Day.”  Write down your thoughts about how you can help bring about the Peaceful Kingdom.

 —Neil Harmon 

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 2, Day 4

​Thursday, December 14, 2017:

Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

Isaiah 11: 5-8

Here in this passage science is suspended—we know these statements are not true in our world today, simply by observing the Animal Kingdom.

Yet, did not our hearts burn within us, yearning for something we can’t quite name, stirring our spirits toward a dream, as we read this passage? Literature like Plato’s “Republic,” Thomas More’s “Utopia,” and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, I Have A Dream speech have painted a picture of what could be, and yet is not. Something so fantastical it could only be read with longing or mocked with cynicism. It leaves us asking our-selves: What do we yearn for?

When we hear of war and rumors of war, when we see someone sleeping on the street in the cold, when children don’t go to school but instead go to jail, and power continues to dominate and silence: What do we yearn for?

What I find so compelling about Scripture and our God-given faith is that it reveals something so deep about myself, others, and the world. This text captures my deepest yearnings even as I grow cynical and skeptical. Isaiah offers a world I can hardly imagine.

The good news is that in Jesus Christ, Isaiah’s vision is being fulfilled. He is the “child” leading this parade of reconciled relationships, and it is this child we celebrate on Christmas—leading us toward reconciliation with one another until the “upside down” Kingdom of God’s grace is established everywhere.

Prayer: Gracious God, give us the faith and courage to inspire in us the dream of Isaiah, and may we see it fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen!

Creative Call-to-Action: Take 5 minutes today to draw what a “utopian world” would look like. What do you see and who is there?

—Rev. Edwin Estevez

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 2, Day 3

Wednesday, December 13, 2017:

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

          Isaiah 11: 3-4

From time to time I have moments where I consider Christ’s character. When I’m    watching television, or making a joke, or even hearing a joke I wonder, “Does He find this funny?” Is He laughing with me?  Every so often, I feel that we are laughing together and I am reminded of how God sent Jesus to earth as a human. He experienced all the emotions and feelings that we go through and he was just as vulnerable as we are.

One task that God has given us is that through the evidence of His character and the life of Jesus, we not only draw closer through knowing Him better, we also strive to be like Him.

We all have those friends who love to gossip or maybe we are one of those friends. Think            about some of the things you’ve “heard through the grapevine” or that you’ve sent through the grapevine. (Don’t worry, this won’t lead up to a huge “gotcha!” moment.) Imagine if everything God heard about us was through a grapevine or based on what he sees. I could not imagine the things that would reach His ears!  The wonderful thing about God is that he will disregard all of the hearsay and look at your heart. If we follow his example by not judging based on how things look or what we have heard, we will not be deceived by some of the evils of this world. If we develop His character, we will become wiser in our judgements.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for not judging me by what you see or hear, but what’s in my heart.  Please grant me wisdom to make good judgements. Allow the desires of my heart to coincide with your will. Thank you for sending Jesus to show me how to live.  Amen.

Creative Call-to-Action: Find two Scriptures that describe Gods characteristics. For example, Matthew 7:11. Write down how adapting these characteristics can help you be more like Him. How can you put them into practice? —Jazmin Salaberrios

Advent Creative Arts Devotional: Week 2, Day 2

​Tuesday, December 12, 2017:

“The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

Isaiah 11:2

One of the lessons I learned this year is that I can't be in control of everything in my life. Being in control of every situation, emotion, and action can become so tiring. It is necessary to let go and trust and surrender to the belief that God only wants the best for us. He sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon us at all times. If we surrender to the Spirit and allow the Spirit to provide us with the wisdom and understanding and knowledge to move forward when we feel stuck, we take so much pressure off ourselves. Seek the counsel of the Spirit through prayer and wait for the answer to appear. Even if you feel like taking control again!

When I looked up the meaning of “the fear of the Lord,” I found the following: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) This gives me comfort to know that we don’t have to fear the Lord in the basic sense of the word, but that we should continue learning and understanding what he wants for, and from, us.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving us wisdom and understanding through the Holy Spirit. Teach us to surrender and wait on the Spirit to lead us. Amen

​Creative Call-to-Action: Create an affirmation that is meaningful to you and repeat it throughout the day and week. Here is an example: “I surrender to the knowledge and wisdom of the Holy Spirit that loves and leads me.”

—Riana Prins​

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 2, Day 1

​Monday, December 11, 2017:

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11: 1

This time of year often brings drab views of the countryside. Absent are the hanging baskets of blooms that adorned porches, yards and sidewalks. Gone are the vibrant golds, reds and oranges of the leaves that so gloriously adorned the fall landscape. After getting this scripture passage to contemplate, I drove along the PA Turnpike and interstate to a funeral. At first I thought of how depressing everything looked as the colors grew farther apart. Occasionally a house here and there stood out. The pavement was monochromatic. Only the evergreens were still green. Even the fields that had been filled with corn, hay, soybeans, and lush ground a few weeks ago stood barren where the harvest had been made.

Then some clouds separated to bring back colors; I looked up and saw bright sun, blue sky. I was reminded of how, even in the dark, the sunrise and -set often bring us spectacular and glorious palettes of colors that painters have tried to reproduce. If we focus on the lack of the summer colors, we miss the beauty in a resting world, a world that prepares for next growing season. At the end of each night comes the hope of a beautiful sunrise and a new day.

Our faith is often like that, too. We travel in monochromatic paths for a while. Then something wonderful and hopeful meets us where we are. Perhaps it’s a message from a distant friend or family member, an unexpected promotion or recognition, recovery from an illness. Hold onto those glimpses of sun, the possibilities of a new beginning in the morning, reminders that God has, does, and will provide for us.

The Old Testament prophets came close enough to God to hear what God had to say to them. They listened, they spoke, they hoped, they prayed. This passage from Isaiah spoke of someone yet to come. It gave hope to those who read it. A new king, Jesus, is coming. He may arrive in rather drab surroundings but will provide what we need all the days of our lives.

Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for adding the colors to our lives, in the people we love and meet, in opportunities to minister to others, in times of creativity. Remind us that even in the dark, you are with us and will bring us to a new day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Creative Call-to-Action: Sit quietly for a few minutes. Make a list of all the colors around you.

​—Diane Olin White

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 1, Day 5

Friday, December 8th, 2017

“He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”    Isaiah 9: 7b

Do you ever read the Bible and think, “I wonder how God is going to do that?” I try hard not to be cynical (after all, hope is a big part of faith in God),  but it seems impossible to uphold a kingdom of peace with justice and righteousness for one day… forget forever-and-ever-amen. The “peace” we have seen in our day, especially lately, seems to be teetering on the edge of dangerous chaos and complete disintegration. The last line “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this”— this seems to be a strange choice of words. The prophet doesn’t say it will be the power of God that will do this, or the army of God, or even the politics of God that will bring peace—it is God’s zeal. God’s fervency and devotion to God’s people will accomplish this peace forever. This “zeal” that the prophet Isaiah speaks of—what is it?

God answers this question at Christmas. It is now that we see the zeal in the flesh. We know from Jesus’ character that this zeal is first and foremost about compassion and love; that it works through broken people and great injustice to make all things right in the end. He joins us in the muck of the messes we make and weeps and suffers alongside us. Born a weak and dependent child in a manger, becoming a homeless rabbi wanderer, lover of sinners, a miracle man. What a strange and beautiful way to bring peace forever-more. 

Prayer: Thank you for your mysterious ways, Oh Lord. Thank you that Jesus was born on Christmas to proclaim your power and glory, and that He does so through love and mercy. Place this zeal of yours within us. Give us passion for the weak and disenfranchised, break our hearts for what breaks yours. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you, as you bring about your peaceful world in the most perfect, powerful, and zealous way. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Creative Call-to-Action: Today, be on the lookout for people or things working to bring peace. Take a photo of one example and find someone who may need proof that God is at work, making peace in our world today. Share your photo with them (either on the Facebook post for this devotional, in person, or via text) and proclaim to them “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will bring peace!”

—Merideth Hite Estevez

This is my friend and neighbor, Tom Davis. He’s a Vietnam vet, a “retired” Presbyterian pastor. I say he’s “retired” because since retiring he’s been commissioned as an “Interfaith Peacemaker” of the New Castle Presbytery and has started the “Interfaith Veterans Workgroup” here in Wilmington—so not really retired at all :) He is also a self-taught photo journalist who reflects the beauty of our city and world through his photographs. He is bringing God’s peace to our little corner of the world... and so LOOK, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will bring peace!” 

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 1, Day 4

Thursday, December 7, 2017:

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.

Isaiah 9: 7

 The context of this passage is likely Assyria and its looming threat over Judah (or the southern kingdom of Israel). Isaiah’s prophecy is relevant in its own time, as well as in ours because of our Gospel lens. In Isaiah’s time, this “prince” of peace might be Hezekiah who is young and will soon sit on the throne of David. He will avert disaster with Assyria by ruling differently than his predecessors, emphasizing peace and using creative means of resistance to survive an attack (and archeologists confirm this is historically accurate).*

To survive the attack, Hezekiah ordered an underground tunnel for fresh water be constructed, a significant undertaking, and a description matching that of the Siloam Tunnel. Some archeologists have dated this tunnel to the time of King Hezekiah, and an inscription can be found to this day commemorating the meeting of tunnel diggers who were digging from two different ends of Jerusalem’s wall.

What’s peace got to do with it? The story of Hezekiah is one example of a ruler who trusts in God’s provision, clears Jerusalem of idolatry, tries to avert violence and war by skillful negotiation, and uses his God-given abilities for creative resistance against destructive forces—this is a glimpse of peace at work.

For Christians, we see this prophecy of Isaiah as one that also points to a future Prince of Peace, who shows us how to trust in God’s provision, to rid ourselves of idols and worship the one true God, who calls relentlessly for peace, who creatively mocks political and religious leaders as He reorients them to God. Jesus calls peacemakers blessed, and He himself makes peace between God and ourselves through the cross. That is Good News!

Prayer: Lord, I surrender my anxiety, fear, shame, guilt, pride, greed, and bitterness; help me trust that you will provide, that I don’t have to fight the world to get the love I need. Lord, I give up the idols of my heart—my career, my money, my children, my need for approval—and give my life over to you. Help me to forgive friends, enemies, family, and even you, embracing the forgiveness offered in Jesus Christ. I pray for peace in our war-torn world. I pray for reconciliation amongst nations, races, classes, and genders. Empower us, by your Spirit, to creatively resist the work of sin by celebrating and em-bodying the gift of grace. In Christ’s name, Amen!

Creative Call-to-Action: How do we make way for peace, participate in peace, live in peace? Take 5 minutes today and write down the people, places and things you need to make peace with. Simply write them and pray over them, surrendering it to God. Then display this list prominently.

 —Rev. Edwin Estevez

*I am greatly indebted to Dr. Brennan Breed at Columbia Seminary for these insights.

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 1, Day 3

Wednesday, December 6, 2017: 

and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Isaiah 9: 6c 

As an extrovert, I love talk therapy. Processing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences with an objective individual has been a formative part of my life for years now. Even when nothing particularly stressful or difficult was happening, the act of sitting on a couch and talking to a professional listener has made a big difference in my life. They have helped me realize how I feel, develop courage to overcome hurdles in my path, and (perhaps most importantly) they have helped me turn the difficult times into growth opportunities. 

I never thought much about Jesus being a described as a Wonderful Counselor until a pastor pointed it out to me one Christmas. It’s one of those scriptures you hear read and sung every year, without thinking too deeply about the complexities of its meaning.

But this name, Wonderful Counselor, assigned to the proclaimed Messiah in Isaiah—is one of my new favorite images.

Every counselor has a different style—there are those who make an Olympic sport out of the awkward silences (and leave you to sit uncomfortably with your own thoughts!) There are those who offer wisdom that is so complex and spot-on you spend years unraveling it. There are those who offer wake-up calls and tough love. They are trained to offer you the care you need in a particular moment. Sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes it takes a few therapists to find the right fit.

If He’s a Wonderful Counselor then, Jesus knows exactly what kind of counsel you need, when. He knows when to listen, when to challenge and urge you towards action, and when to simply sit with you in your sorrow. There are examples of him doing all these things with men and women throughout the Gospels. He is THE perfect professional listener; there to guide you, help you grow, and to become who God created you to be. Do you know you have that kind of access to God? 

Prayer: Wonderful Counselor, thank you for always knowing what I need. Help me to listen for and trust your counsel, even when it is difficult to hear. Bless me that I might listen to others with your patience, wisdom, and boldness. In your name I pray, Amen. 

Creative Call-to-Action: Find a quiet and solitary spot to sit where no one will hear or bother you. (The car works great!) Speak (out-loud) to Jesus, seeking his counsel. Ask whatever questions you may have. Be vulnerable. If it feels easier to journal your thoughts, that’s fine too. Pause and listen prayerfully for a response from your Wonderful Counselor.
 
—Merideth Hite Estevez
 

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 1, Day 2

Tuesday, December 5, 2017:

Authority rests upon his shoulders;  Isaiah 9:6b

Much of my life I have been an authority conscious person, believing things simply because I’ve been told them by someone I have deemed to be trustworthy.  As a young child, those I identified to have authority for me were my parents, teachers, and almost every adult with whom I came in contact. It was an easy world in which I lived with clear-cut boundaries. When my first grade teacher, Mrs. Martin, told me and three friends to go stand in a corner of the room because we continued to whisper to each other even after she had told us to stop, I went to the corner because implicitly I recognized her authority and did not even think about challenging it. Mrs. Martin carried the burden of authority on her shoulders for my first grade class - and every  class she ever taught!

As a youth, those I identified to have authority for me were much the same; yet, my response to them was different, for it was a time of pushing back on those who carried the burden of authority on their shoulders for me. For example, if my parents gave me a curfew that was earlier than that of my friends,  I would split the difference and arrive home late. Needless to say, my parents were not pleased and consequences followed.

Adolescence was a tumultuous time when parents saying “because I told you so” no longer seemed enough, for I undervalued what it meant for them to shoulder the burden of authority for me. I no longer trusted that they had my best interests at heart. This would not change, I became a parent and more fully understood what it means to have the burden of authority rest on a parent’s shoulders.

What I did not understand as a teen is that no human being has to shoulder the burden of authority alone. This is God’s gift wrapped up for us at Christmas: the promised Messiah upon whose shoulders the prophet Isaiah foretold said the burden of authority would rest.

What does it mean for you this season, as you prepare for Christmas, to know that Jesus Christ carries the burden of authority on his shoulders for you? for me? for the world? that any authority for what we say and do comes through him?

Prayer: Pray The Lord’s Prayer deliberately considering its connection with the text from Isaiah 9:6b.

Creative Call-to-Action: Enter into a conversation with someone about who or what has authority in your life. Is God the ultimate authority? If so, how might that change what you say and do?

 —Rev. Anne Pruett Barnett

Creative Arts Advent Devotional: Week 1, Day 1

Monday, December 4, 2017: 

Isaiah 9: 6a For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.

One of my favorite recurring themes of our story of faith is how God chooses the day’s most “unlikely” candidates to do His work. Jesse was so sure that Samuel wouldn’t anoint his son David as King that he hadn’t even called him in from working with the sheep (1 Samuel: 16). Ruth proposed to Boaz and claimed her place in Jesus’s genealogy in spite of her being a woman and an immigrant (Ruth 4). Peter was trusted to feed Christ’s sheep and became the leader of His church, in spite of his triple denial on the night Jesus died (John 21:17.) It seems every chapter I read, I think, “There God goes again, turning the world upside down.” I don’t know about you, but I like the way God works.

As the prophet Isaiah foretold, Jesus, our Emmanuel—which means God with us—came as a baby. Not as a mighty warrior riding in on horseback, not as a whirling natural disaster sent to destroy the Earth, not as an angel descending from on high. He came to live and breathe alongside and through us “unlikely” candidates. That’s very good news.

Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for sending your son Jesus to be born a child for us. Thank you for the ways you use and trust us to do your work in this world, in spite of our shortcomings, failures, and weaknesses. Help us to “look with the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) instead of our eyes, like you do. Help us to have faith in ourselves and our brothers and sisters, and to trust in your guidance and goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Creative Action Item: Find a picture of yourself as a child. Study the image for at least 5 minutes. Take some time to free write in a journal about what you see anew upon looking at this photo. Do you see any similarities to your “grown-up” self? What emotions does this image bring up for you?  Consider the ways in which God has used you to do His important work in the world since that photo was taken.

 —Merideth Hite Estevez

My brother Mack and his daughter Macy, moments after she was born. (Photo: Sandi Hall McClain)

Creative Arts Advent Devotional

Advent is a time of waiting. In the mania of all that the Christmas season has become, it seems impossible to make time for anything, much less to practice this waiting for Jesus’ birth. Lumina Arts Incubator and Grace Church United Methodist are excited to share a daily devotional that was created with this in mind—to help us all make space and time for the spiritual practices of prayer, scripture study, and general quiet time with God during the most wonderful (i.e. hectic) time of the year. 

Through Lumina, a ministry of Grace Church United Methodist, I have spent time working with artists from all different walks of life, who identify all over the spiritual-religious spectrum. What I love most about this work is watching people connect with their creativity and explore in community how that connection intersects with the spiritual. We hold weekly small group workshops around “The Artist’s Way” a book by Julia Cameron that reminds us, first and foremost, that God is an artist and perhaps, most poignantly, that God loves artists. The devotions we'll be sharing during the next few weeks were written by participants of these groups and our wonderful Grace Church staff. They contain a special Creative Call-to-Action at the end of each weekday, to help you experience this time of waiting with purposeful and active reflection. 

If you don’t consider yourself an artist, I hope this Advent you will be open to exploring these Creative Call-to-Actions at the end of each day, exploring God’s creation with new eyes, opening yourself up to the music and color that is all around us. What better time of year is there to relish in the blessings of God’s great masterwork? What have we been waiting for?

Join us on Sunday mornings at Grace Church (900 N Washington Street, Wilmington Delaware) at 10:25 worship to hear each week’s scripture and sermon/meditation on God’s Word. At Grace you can pick up a hard copy of the devotional and within it's pages you'll find space to take notes in Sundays entry. During or after the service, feel free to write down the things you’d most like to keep in mind as you dive deeper into the scripture throughout the week. Beginning on Mondays, Sunday’s scripture is divided into bite-size pieces to explore daily through a reflection, prayer, and creative call-to-action. On Saturdays we will rest from our devotional practice. As you recharge, be thankful for all the week has brought.

Below is today's scripture. Hope to see you in worship in a few hours! 

Blessings on your Advent waiting! 

Merideth 

___________

Sunday, December 3, 2017:

6 For a child has been born for us,
    a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
    and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
    and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
    He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

             Isaiah 9:6-7

Attend worship today and take notes on what struck you most about the service. We will meditate and reflect on select verses of this scripture each day this week.