#AdventWord #Ponder #沉思 ‘But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.’ Luke 1:29 ‘Mary receives many confusing messages in Luke’s Gospel: You will bear a child. This child will be our salvation. A sword will pierce your soul. Mary doesn’t understand these messages at the time. Perhaps she won’t fully understand for months or years–until she holds her child in her arms, or stands weeping at the foot of the cross. In the time between, she ponders. She holds these words, perplexing and unclear, in her heart. I wonder how it … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Ponder’ 沉思

#AdventWord #Quench #解渴 ‘Do not quench the Spirit.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ‘Do you have your water bottle? Go back to your room and put on some lotion. Where’s your Aquaphor? Growing up, my daughters heard at least one of those three questions every day. Essentially, the question boils down to whether you equip yourself with those things that offer hydration to your body. Practicing bodily hydration helps us quench our spiritual thirst. As we wait for the one who satisfies all hunger and thirst, I remember this passage from Isaiah: The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Quench’ 解渴

#AdventWord #Laughter #笑聲 🤣 ‘Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.’ Psalm 126:2 ‘The 8-year-old grandson of a friend of mine once remarked, “You have a funny belly laugh”—which is absolutely true. I laugh loudly and often—even though the biblical references to laughter seem to be associated with foolishness more than joie de vivre. One of the few positive references to laughter is the Ode to the Capable Wife; it describes a thrifty woman who is so well prepared for the future that “she laughs at the time to come” (Proverbs 31:25b). Do … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Laughter’ 笑聲 🤣

#AdventWord #Dream #夢想 ‘…then were we like those who dream.’ Psalm 126:1 ‘In college I used to dream in great detail about my writing assignments. (Yes, I was that nerdy student!) I’d come up with such inspiring ideas while sleeping–only to wake up and realize they made no sense. I’d dream of beautifully written paragraphs – only to find my document still blank in the morning. The people of God in Babylon woke up in exile, day after day. But they still remembered their dreams of a future more inspiring and beautiful than they could fully imagine. When Jesus restores … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Dream’ 夢想

#AdventWord #Give #給予 ‘I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.’ Isaiah 61:8 ‘Gifts come in all sizes and types to Forward Movement–from stocks and bequests to stamps purchased from the prison commissary. One donor sends us wrinkled dollar bills, never amounting to more than $5, with a return address from a residential healthcare facility. These gifts usually come with a note of thanksgiving, reminding me that generosity often comes from a deep well of gratitude. We give the gifts first given us out of joy, appreciation, and an understanding that nothing … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Give’ 給予

#AdventWord #Repair #修復 ‘…they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.’ Isaiah 61:4 ‘While cleaning my room recently, I encountered many projects I’d set aside that needed repair, including a broken piece of pottery Kaia made–one of her earliest and favorite pieces. It sat on my dresser for years until, on this day, I decided to get the glue. I’d read about a Japanese mending process called kintsugi, where artists mend pottery with lacquer infused with gold or other precious metals. The idea is that the breaks are part of the piece’s history. I wonder how we … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Repair’ 修復

#AdventWord #Spirit #聖靈 ‘The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me…’ Isaiah 61:1 ‘The Gospel of Luke presents the Advent narrative in such a way that even before Jesus’s birth, the Spirit is already a main character. God’s Holy Spirit helps prepare the way for Jesus’s birth (Luke 1:35) and inspires those around Jesus with understanding and the gift of prophecy (Luke 1:41-55, 67-79; Luke 2:25-32, 36-38). What if our only task during Advent is to look for signs of God’s Holy Spirit? We may not experience dramatic angelic visitations like Zachariah, Mary, … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Spirit’ 聖靈

#AdventWord #Begin #開始 ‘…as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.’ ‘It feels odd to talk about resolutions in the middle of December. Surely those can wait for the beginning of the year–after we have had parties, Christmas dinners, and stockings filled with treats. Yes, new beginnings are best kept for the hangover of January. But what if we made Advent resolutions? What if we looked at Advent as a time to begin? Not only repent from doing evil but begin doing good this Advent. Begin to pray, read scripture, worship, sing praises. Begin. … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Begin’ 開始

#AdventWord #Hasten #催促 ‘…what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God…’ 2 Peter 3:12 ‘As a parent of small children, my whole life feels like either hurrying or waiting. Hurrying to church or school. Waiting as my kid, determined to practice his new skill, very slowly zips up his own coat. Alas, I’ve discovered that no amount of anxious energy will hasten my kids out the door any faster. Advent is a chance for me to practice waiting and hastening at the … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Hasten’ 催促