advent - awake & praying

Advent is a gift that keeps on giving. The other day, I was walking down California Street and ran into a huge tacky "Holiday" display that was more advertisement than celebration, more noise than music. This "bright lights, big city" spectacle reiterated for me the great wisdom and nurturing spaciousness that the quiet season of Advent offers those who ache for something different.

A friend, church colleague and neighbor and I are planning a simple outdoor prayer gathering Friday nights in Advent at a park near our homes on Bernal Heights. A different kind of event we hope, flash lights, stars, prayers, friends, strangers, neighbors and a great view of the city. Check out Diobytes for more info. Join us.

By the way, check out Trinity Wall Street's and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington's interactive Advent calendars. My former Virginia Seminary professor Diana Butler Bass is also posting reflections on her Advent calendar over at Sojourners God's Politics blog.