Advent 2024 — How does a weary world rejoice?
“What Wonder Turns Into” by Lisle Gwynn Garrity / Inspired by Luke 1:57-66 / Acrylic painting on canvas with digital drawing
The theme for our Advent observance this year comes in the form of a question:
“How does a weary world rejoice?
Joy is often a companion to many other emotions. We can feel joy in addition to feeling many other things at once: grief, anticipation, anxiety, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion. Perhaps many of us live with the myth that joy is not something we deserve—or that it is wholly out of reach. But our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy—fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. Our joy is better when it is shared.
This theme of course alludes to a line in the familiar Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night,” which has an interesting history. The song was originally written by a French poet who was atheist, and the music was supplied by a Jewish composer. The hymn was later translated into English by an American Unitarian minister. In the 1800s, it became a popular hymn for Christian abolitionists due to its justice-focused language in verse 3. Like Mary’s song, the hymn reminds us that justice and joy belong together. Sometimes our joy is an act of resistance.
And so, this Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.
We acknowledge our weariness
December 1 - First Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:1-23 (Zechariah & Elizabeth are promised a child)
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
We find joy in connection
December 8 - Second Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:24-45 (Gabriel visits Mary; Mary goes to Elizabeth)
Isaiah 40:1-11
We allow ourselves to be amazed
December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:57-66 (The birth of John)
Psalm 126
We sing stories of hope
December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:46-55 (Magnificat)
Luke 1:67-80 (Zechariah's song)
In each week of our series, we respond to the theme question with a statement inspired by our scriptures. These texts bring us into a space of possibility; in them, we find rhythms for rejoicing, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Each weekly sub-theme is a “we” statement because joy is deeply relational and rooted in the fact that we belong to God. As we move through our series, we hope to create space for acknowledging the weariness of our world while celebrating God’s closeness with great joy.
Graphic Design by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | Background painting and photography by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Series by: A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org