Words for the Beginning
Greetings Pilgrims!
We are deep into Advent now and as I was following along (a bit sporadically) with our Advent devotional I felt particularly drawn to Rev. Garrity’s art piece and reflection on John the Baptist’s advice to his followers and Kayla Craig’s prayer. So I thought I’d share those, but if you’d like to read the full pieces here is a link to the online version of the devotional book (we still have a few left outside the fellowship hall too.)
As you read this I wonder what is one way you think you are situated to bring light into the world, right now?
As John the Baptist preaches about transformation, he receives the same question three times from those gathered by the river: “What, then, shall we do?” His responses are straightforward and practical, but also particular. He tells the crowd to share any excess clothing and food with those
who have none. He tells the tax collectors not to use their position of power to launder and steal money. He tells the soldiers not to coerce and threaten, and to be satisfied with their wages. In other words, he tells them what not to do, which leads me to assume that those showing up to be baptized are carrying some things they need to atone for. And yet, they have shown up. They have journeyed into the wilderness to be baptized and transformed. They long for a new beginning. At the center of this quilt square collage, a pinwheel of fire spins. It represents the Holy Spirit impelling the world to turn. Surrounding it are four petal shapes that bloom like a flower. They are each filled with branches of fruit. When we align ourselves with the movement of the Spirit, we can do the good that is ours to do. Our actions can bear good fruit.
Prayer: You are uniquely situated to bring light into the world. May you find courage this season to do the good that is yours to do. It matters. May you see the ripples of your actions expand outward, touching lives and mending the fabric of our shared humanity.
Love and prayers,
Felix (she/her)
Art: The Good That Is Yours
Ink dyes & gold resist on silk, with digital collage.
Lisle Gwynn Garrity