The 2010 Advent in Art card series is the result of what has now become a familiar process among the staff I work with at World Vision New Zealand.
In about September I start approaching staff in order to find four who are willing to select a piece of art relating to the Christmas story and talk about it in one of our weekly Chapel services during Advent. (2010 is a bit different in that I chose the art and then approached people to talk about it.) These people are not necessarily public speakers, theologically educated, or students of art history. I am looking for a personal response to the story and the art.
Then I put the images in an order that relates to the story, select the appropriate biblical text, and write a brief reflection and response to go with that image. All this is printed on a set of cards that are given out to staff to guide their reflections during Advent.
On the Wednesday before the first Sunday in Advent, in our Chapel service we do a brief introduction to Advent, putting it in the context of the Christian Year. We light the first of the Advent candles and the staff member speaks to us about the image she or he has chosen. The brief is that they can open up the image to us, preach from the text using the image as illustration, talk about their personal response to the image, or engage with us in any other way they wish to. I project the image as background while they speak.
Inevitably these presentations are very moving and significant moments of experiencing the presence of God among us.
Over the years more and more people have seen the cards and asked if they can have sets either for their own use, as Christmas cards, or to use with their church community. We gladly make them available, always on the understanding that they are written for the spiritual nurture of World Vision New Zealand (and now Australia) staff, and not intended to be generic or marketable.
It is my prayer that they will help sustain you on your journey through Advent and into the Christmas Season.
I would be delighted to hear how you have found them or used them.
Mark Pierson
Christian Commitments and Church Relations Manager
World Vision New Zealand
mark.pierson@worldvision.org.nz
Christ the King Sunday, 2010.
(Source: HERE.)
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