Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Get ready, get set, WAIT!
Advent is the season of waiting and noticing and preparing. This first week of Advent, write about what this liturgical season means to you. What do you do at church and what do you do at home to wait, notice and prepare? Why do you do it?
In the hall outside my apartment there is a personal space - a bulletin board - where I can post anything I want. And I love to use it!
Now I am posting an advent calendar. A figure a day from the beginning of Advent to the day of Jesus' birth! I begin preparation in November, putting up dark blue paper to represent the night sky and brown wrapping paper to represent the desert. I cut out the stable, the shepherds and wise men and Mary and Joseph and the darling baby, from a web site print out. On day one I put up part of the stable, day two the rest of it, then each day after another new figure.
Magic begins to happen!
Angels sing their announcement from the sky, the star glows over the stable, the shepherds marvel and leave a lamb for the little Lamb of God. The wise men leave their frankincense and myrrh. Mary and Joseph look on with wonder and love. And by the 25th of December the picture is complete when the little baby for whom all this preparation has taken place, finally appears! The season has been fulfilled; the story of Jesus has begun to unfold!
Bare branch, stark statement of Fall Reminder of past growth, remnant true, Our new year begins with the prophet’s call. Culture gathers its gifts, we answer, the few.
Young David, seventh of seven sons, a symbol. Each baptized one set aside, ministry to do. Daily chores continue, Spirit dances as a lamb does gambol. This season daily calls for faithful witness, love, justice shew.
Shrug on the Advent garment, simplicity, quiet expectation. Pause to reflect on blessings rich, relationships a many. Morn through nightfall, list’ to Word Made Flesh’s contemplation. Out of humble beginnings, Creator fashions with hands most canny.
Each believer supported by faith community diverse, Begins the trek to the manger, ‘midst cacophony ‘mazing; Clear spirit, body, mind, heart, schedule from busy-ness perverse. Focus upon the coming gift, find strength, distraction razing.
‘Tis helpful to set a Jesse branch out for all to see. Each day a new ornament of faith on a limb tie; With angelic touch, create a home for love’s clear plea; This evolving aide will the Scatterer defy.
As Samuel asked Jesse to parade his sons, Spirit strengthens our resolve to walk simply this path. Note the moments that come with response not just funds; Fill the day with kindness, compassion, joy, resist reactive wrath.
Child of Creator’s joy, you have been selected ‘mongst all. No else can share your hearts’ touch, your soul’s delight. Each beloved needs acknowledgment, love’s wondrous call. Make this season a time of calm, Word Made Flesh the highlight.
Express the song Spirit calls out from deep within. Sing with abandon, sigh with expectant hope full. Our universe has been redeemed, ‘tis not bound by sin. Gently press down the path, God’s blessings to mull.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div. 1 December 2013
It was Christmas Eve and I was just a little girl, a member of the choir at English Lutheran Church in Billings, Montana. Our house was decorated for the season, tree lighted, ornaments sparkling, paper chains stretching catty corner across the room, under our high old fashioned ceiling.
We had just come home from the Christmas Eve service where the choir had sung, and my sister Billie and I were in a reverent thrall, our voices warmed up in the wonderful rapport that any singer knows occurs only once in a while. She sang Alto and I soprano. All the Christmas carols flowed from our throats in perfect harmony while we slowly washed and wiped dishes.
My parents and my little brother were not at home, off on some Christmassy errand. It was cold outside; the snow was deep, with high banks piled in the middle of the street, pushed there by the snow plows. We looked out the window and saw snow falling. Large flakes swirling lightly from the sky, freshening the world and dancing softly across the beam of the corner street light.
We stepped out onto the front porch to better enjoy the wondrous sight and picked up our caroling, “Silent Night, Holy Night." Only one person was on the street at the time, a warmly dressed woman hurrying along toward shelter and warmth, but when we began to sing she stopped. She didn't turn around, just stood there, still, and listened.
That is where the memory stops, but I can still feel the mystery and promise of that Christmas Eve so many years ago and recapture that perfect moment in my life.
Advent 1, 2013
ReplyDeleteIn the hall outside my apartment there is a personal space - a bulletin board - where I can post anything I want. And I love to use it!
Now I am posting an advent calendar. A figure a day from the beginning of Advent to the day of Jesus' birth! I begin preparation in November, putting up dark blue paper to represent the night sky and brown wrapping paper to represent the desert. I cut out the stable, the shepherds and wise men and Mary and Joseph and the darling baby, from a web site print out. On day one I put up part of the stable, day two the rest of it, then each day after another new figure.
Magic begins to happen!
Angels sing their announcement from the sky, the star glows over the stable, the shepherds marvel and leave a lamb for the little Lamb of God. The wise men leave their frankincense and myrrh. Mary and Joseph look on with wonder and love. And by the 25th of December the picture is complete when the little baby for whom all this preparation has taken place, finally appears! The season has been fulfilled; the story of Jesus has begun to unfold!
Come Lord Jesus, come!
Clarene Aitken
Using the space and opportunity well. I can pause in the hall and see your witness. Simple, direct, effective.
DeleteHow fun that is! Fun and holy on the same bulletin board - very neat!
DeleteAdvent 2013
ReplyDeleteThe Jesse Tree
1 Samuel 16.1-13
Bare branch, stark statement of Fall
Reminder of past growth, remnant true,
Our new year begins with the prophet’s call.
Culture gathers its gifts, we answer, the few.
Young David, seventh of seven sons, a symbol.
Each baptized one set aside, ministry to do.
Daily chores continue, Spirit dances as a lamb does gambol.
This season daily calls for faithful witness, love, justice shew.
Shrug on the Advent garment, simplicity, quiet expectation.
Pause to reflect on blessings rich, relationships a many.
Morn through nightfall, list’ to Word Made Flesh’s contemplation.
Out of humble beginnings, Creator fashions with hands most canny.
Each believer supported by faith community diverse,
Begins the trek to the manger, ‘midst cacophony ‘mazing;
Clear spirit, body, mind, heart, schedule from busy-ness perverse.
Focus upon the coming gift, find strength, distraction razing.
‘Tis helpful to set a Jesse branch out for all to see.
Each day a new ornament of faith on a limb tie;
With angelic touch, create a home for love’s clear plea;
This evolving aide will the Scatterer defy.
As Samuel asked Jesse to parade his sons,
Spirit strengthens our resolve to walk simply this path.
Note the moments that come with response not just funds;
Fill the day with kindness, compassion, joy, resist reactive wrath.
Child of Creator’s joy, you have been selected ‘mongst all.
No else can share your hearts’ touch, your soul’s delight.
Each beloved needs acknowledgment, love’s wondrous call.
Make this season a time of calm, Word Made Flesh the highlight.
Express the song Spirit calls out from deep within.
Sing with abandon, sigh with expectant hope full.
Our universe has been redeemed, ‘tis not bound by sin.
Gently press down the path, God’s blessings to mull.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
1 December 2013
Christmas Eve
ReplyDeleteClarene Aitken
It was Christmas Eve and I was just a little girl, a member of the choir at English Lutheran Church in Billings, Montana. Our house was decorated for the season, tree lighted, ornaments sparkling, paper chains stretching catty corner across the room, under our high old fashioned ceiling.
We had just come home from the Christmas Eve service where the choir had sung, and my sister Billie and I were in a reverent thrall, our voices warmed up in the wonderful rapport that any singer knows occurs only once in a while. She sang Alto and I soprano. All the Christmas carols flowed from our throats in perfect harmony while we slowly washed and wiped dishes.
My parents and my little brother were not at home, off on some Christmassy errand. It was cold outside; the snow was deep, with high banks piled in the middle of the street, pushed there by the snow plows. We looked out the window and saw snow falling. Large flakes swirling lightly from the sky, freshening the world and dancing softly across the beam of the corner street light.
We stepped out onto the front porch to better enjoy the wondrous sight and picked up our caroling, “Silent Night, Holy Night." Only one person was on the street at the time, a warmly dressed woman hurrying along toward shelter and warmth, but when we began to sing she stopped. She didn't turn around, just stood there, still, and listened.
That is where the memory stops, but I can still feel the mystery and promise of that Christmas Eve so many years ago and recapture that perfect moment in my life.
I can feel the soft flakes and joy of you girls.
DeleteRonald Melver
And memory will become one of mine - through your telling on it! Thanks
ReplyDeleteWorking to make my Spirit to Spirit web page work. Clarene
ReplyDelete