#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

#AdventWord #Herald #傳報喜訊者 ‘…lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear;’ Isaiah 40:9 ‘News traveled slower in Isaiah’s time than it does today. When something out-of-the-ordinary happened, folks didn’t find out about it from a text on the group chat or a post on social media. They might have learned about it from a herald: someone who travels long distances, climbs high mountains, to share the news. Here is your God! the heralds in today’s reading joyfully cry. I wonder what will grab your attention today, sharing tidings of comfort … Continue reading Advent Word 2023 ‘Herald’ 傳報喜訊者