Advent Words Day 26 ~ Word

 

Day 26: Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." John 1:1-4

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." John 1:14a

The Word became flesh ~ the Incarnation. This is the great mystery and wonder and truth of Christmas. God took on human form and lived among us, and thus became fully like us. He understands us. The author of the book of Hebrews tells us that the incarnation  means that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), because He was tempted in every way He is able to  "help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus was fully human. 

Yet He was also fully divine, fully God. We see in the beginning of John's Gospel that "In the beginning was the Word" - Jesus. The Word existed before time. He was with God. He was distinct from God, yet He was fully God. 

In His humanity He does not give up His divinity. Paul tells us in Philippians that Jesus willingly laid it aside and submitted humbly to becoming a man. In this He submitted to the Father's will. 

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:5-11

 

The Word became flesh and lived among us ~ He was fully human and fully God. He was the fulfillment of the promise of Immanuel ~ God with us! This is the wonder of Christmas!

Today is Christmas Eve and the last day of Advent. Our waiting for the Christ to arrive has come! Yet Advent reminds us to hold onto that same hope-filled longing as we wait for His promised return. Thank you for joining me on this journey through Advent. I am so grateful for all who participate with me each year. The creative responses to the words and the Scriptures that have been shared on Instagram and in the Words Facebook group are true expressions of God's creative work in us and through us. This weekend I will share some of my plans for the year ahead. In the meantime,

Have a Merry Christmas! Rejoice, the Savior is born!

 

 

Share you responses on Instagram using #adventwords2020 or in the Words Art & Faith Challenge group on Facebook. 

Prepping For Advent And Beyond

 Prepping For Advent And Beyond

I finally finished my journal for this year's Advent Words challenge. It's actually the second one I made. The first was made with old book covers and a few signatures, but it just wasn't going together right. So I put it aside and started over with a simple one signature pamphlet journal. I covered the pages with painted papers and some patterned papers. I decided to number my pages this year using gold painted paper. I'm ready to begin the challenge on Sunday! Would you like to join me? I will post daily devotions and art to go along with the daily Advent Words. I invite you to respond to the words and Scripture readings with any creative practice you choose. Post on Instagram using #adventwords2020 or in our private Facebook group: Words Art & Faith Challenge Group

This year's Advent Words calendar can be found at the end of this post.

I also added a list of the Advent Words to my Everyday Journal.

For some time I've been thinking about how I want to set up my Everyday Journal for next year. I haven't decided on a word of the year yet, but I did know that I wanted to do something with weekly page spreads. I didn't do much of that type of journaling this year because I just didn't find the right kind of set up. I don't connect much with doing the the planner style or something like a diary. I'm more interested in something like a visual commonplace book. A place where I record quotes I like and passages from books I'm reading and notes from Bible study or sermons, bird watching notes, and notes about things I find when I go thrift shopping, little bits of collage, things I'm grateful -  the things that make up MY life.

So I made a template to use as a guide for laying out my weekly spreads. 

Along with a monthly title page and various pages through out the year about my word of the year, I now have a plan for journaling in 2021. My Leuchtturm journal I used this year is only half full so I'm going to continue using it next year. As journaling and art challenges come up I'll make separate journals for those.

If you choose a word of the year or keep an Everyday Journal I am part of a group of women who share their art and their faith with each other. We supply ideas for helping each other live out our word of the year. Join us! Living Your Word of the Year Facebook Group

Click HERE for a printable version

Introducing Advent Words 2020

 

In a year where daily change has been the norm, there are some things that do not change, such as calendars. In just a few short weeks the Advent season begins. I, for one, am pleased to have something to focus on that feels familiar and full of hope. I am ready to embrace a season that reminds us that in this time of constant change, Advent helps us focus on what does not change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

"He has come and is coming. One day, He will come again." ~Kris Camealy. 

I need this break from the chaos, to take time to slow down and focus on Scripture and art and the promises that the Advent season envelops us in. 

Would you like to join me? Here's how:

• I will post daily Bible study devotions, along with how I responded creatively, on this blog each day beginning on November 29. You can follow this blog by email or there will be daily links to the posts in the Words Challenge Facebook group
• Respond with whatever creative practice you choose: art journaling, mixed media art, scrapbook, photography, digital art, poetry, creative writing, calligraphy - any way you choose! As you take in the Scripture and devotions into your heart and mind, let it sink even deeper as you practice creatively with your hands.
• Join the Words Challenge Facebook group where you can share your art and ideas and join the conversation through the Advent season and beyond.  I host a number of Words Challenges throughout the year. 
• If you belong to the Everyday Journal group that I co-lead with Valerie Sjodin and Bernice Hopper, Advent Words will be our theme for December.
• Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2020.
• In the weeks before the Advent season begins reflect and prepare: choose the creative form you will use for your daily practice. Make or buy a journal that fits your creative form.

I, actually have not decided what type of journal I will use this year. But I have made the calendar!

You can download a printable version HERE.