Greetings, Advent friends!
I hope your first Sunday in Advent was amazing and that you’re excited about the journey ahead!
WARNING :: from time to time I might drop in a post, some web content that isn’t prompted by an icon in the book. So keep coming back and looking around! Be alert and wait for it! After all, IT’S ADVENT!
Our scripture for today, Luke 1:5-25, is really great because it connects so well with our theme this week, “WAIT”. I would recommend reading it in a few translations and checking out The Message version. Let the story sink in, place yourself in the setting and allow the situation to come to life. Almost every person can identify with how Zechariah and Elizabeth wait.
Here are verses 18 - 20 in my own words:
“How can I be sure of what you’re saying? I’m old and my wife is way past her baby-making days. We’ve been waiting so long that we’ve given up. Are you sure?” The angel replies, “I’m an angel, man. I stand in God’s presence, and God Himself sent me to tell you this good news. But because you’ve let your waiting turn into doubting, you’re gonna need to wait a little longer. No communication for you. Just wait and see.”
Advent / Christmas music…
Music is a HUGE part of the Advent and Christmas experience for me. But finding really good, Advent-specific music is hard. Most tunes are specifically Christmas, talking about Jesus’ birth and the things we will celebrate after Christmas day, during Christmastide. I want to hear about that, but it’s not Christmas yet—it’s Advent!
So every Monday, I will post my favorite Advent music recommendations, Spotify playlists and free music you can get your hands on.
Here’s the first Advent edition of MUSIC MONDAYS.
The Brilliance
If I could choose one Advent album, it would be Advent Volume 1 by The Brilliance. So good, it's definitely a must listen! There is is >>> take a listen! >>>
Volume 2 is also seems to be pretty great.
Mike Crawford & The Secret Siblings
The reason I like this album (it's on Spotify) so much is because it’s very Advent specific. The song “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness” … Such a great Advent tune! This band comes out of a really cool church community in Kansas City, check them out www.jacobswellchurch.org
Noisetrade - is a website where you can get free music! The only cost is spreading the word on twitter and/or Facebook. They have a pretty good amount of Advent / Christmas music, i’ll give you a Noisetrade recommendation every week!
My recommendation this week is The Paste Holiday Sampler 2013. Paste does one of these every year (you can find some some versions on Noisetrade as well). I have a few of them. Highlights of this album are… Sufjan Stevens, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Micah Dalton. Be careful, it's only all "Advent" specific music. Skill the Christmas tracs until Christmas!
I have posted some Advent playlists on Spotify, just seach for erikwillits. You can keep an eye on my Twitter feed ( erikwillits ) and on my blog, I usually post Advent tunes I'm listening to and other Advent thoughts I might have. www.ErikWillitsBlog.com
Advent Experiment…
Well, after some technical difficulties I’ve lost a very stellar post I had written up for you! So let me simplify and lead you into an Advent Experiment.
The experiment is to create your own Advent calendar.
You know the kind that has little chocolates hidden behind a door for every day of Advent? Well, because we are flipping the script on the parties and presents, I want to encourage you to be creative and create your own Advent calendar!
It could be virtual or, if you’re crafty, make one with your bare hands!
HINT :: look around on Pinterest for TONS of ideas!
Maybe…
For every day, find a scripture or prayer that encourages you on your Advent journey.
For every day, think of a creative way to give instead of receive.
Write a note of encouragement, sit with an elderly person, sing some Christmas carols to strangers, give away some of your extra winter clothes, clean the bathrooms for your parents. There are a million little and big things you can do as Advent experiments in preparing for the coming Christ. So do one every day!
This could be a fun Instagram activity with your friends.
#AdventExperiment — see who can outdo who in love and deeds this Advent! (Hebrews 10:24)
Remember, this is not to brag, but to encourage others and to remind yourself of the work God is doing in and through you this Advent. Use the hashtag and we’ll all share in the awesome things God is doing.
iGadgets & phone apps!
There are also a million and one iPhone and iPad apps that you can use. Some are cool, some are helpful, most are just Advent / Christmas calendars. Look around, find your favorite and share it with everybody on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #AdventJourney to share what you've found
My favorites
This app is connected to the book Advent Conspiracy and shares some really cool ways to engage in an Advent where you give more than you receive and worship God more fully. Love it!
This app is a cool little calendar. Every day of Advent it gives you a new Advent song to listen to. It’s pretty classical music but take it in and use the few minutes of the song to think and pray about your Advent journey, pondering what God is trying to do in your life.
This is a cool little app with a bunch of social network connections and videos. It’s also connected to a charity that helps you to give instead of just get this Advent. Lots to play around with.
This fun app looks REALLY cool. Nothing substantial or meaningful about it, but it’s fun to just play around with!
Like I said, there are TONS of them. Find your favorite and share it!
Grace, peace, and experiments
Erik