Advent marks the Beginning of the Christian year, when the wheel turns over and the cycle begins again.

As with all such beginnings, we look back, we look around, we look forward. Past, present, and future. What has come, what is present, what is yet to come.

Or better: who.

In Advent, we remember our forerunners, who in ancient covenant longed for the arrival of their Messiah.

In Advent, we anticipate with repentance and fasting the ebullient joy of Christmas, when our Lord arrives.

In Advent, we green the halls with boughs and woven strands, a reminder of life in the midst of the winter's cold breath.

In Advent, we dwell on the judgment which awaits when our Lord Jesus returns in triumph and great glory.

In Advent, we let our deep longings shake loose and rise to the surface—that we would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, that every tear would meet its consoling thumb, that our Bridegroom would arrive and claim his bride.

God has gifted artists
to aid our anticipation
to garland and grace the arrival
To name all that we await

If you have been given and have nurtured creative gifts—gifts in the visual arts (from sculpture to painting to glass-blowing to design), gifts in the narrative arts (poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction), or musical gifts (performance, composition, etc.)—we invite you to devote those gifts unto the Lord’s service. We invite you to make an offering of beauty.

We would love to display your visual art in our Advent art gallery, or feature your narrative or musical art in the gallery opening event (and the accompanying arts journal).

As you anticipate the coming season of anticipation, meditate deeply upon the deliverance which Israel anticipated, what it means that the Christ has arrived, and what we in the Church still await with longing the consummation of all things.

Light the lamps and lead us out: Help the church to behold our Bridegroom, who has come and has promised to come again. Help us to meet him with a shout.

If you’re interested

Contact Deacon Zack Clemmons at zachary.clemmons@gmail.com.

We’ll talk details on your project, and any questions you have will be answered!

(But I’m not an artist!)

If you don’t consider yourself a creative person, or can’t contribute artistically to our Advent Gallery and Event, there will be other ways to support this event, forthcoming in further communications.

In the meantime, mark your calendars for our gallery opening event on the first Saturday in Advent:

December 3rd || 6:00pm
Christ the King Anglican Church

This event will be open to the public, so invite friends and neighbors!