Dear Friends,
With the approach of Advent, I am happy to make available this year’s Advent devotional calendar. We will have copies on cardstock available at church this Sunday and in the weeks to come. You can also download it below if you would like, and make copies on your own.
In 1988, it was about this time of year when I was visiting with a friend, Merry Watters. I noticed a whimsical Advent calendar on her refrigerator door, placed there in anticipation of Advent. As pastor of the Essex, Vermont United Methodist Church. she had designed the calendar for her congregation. Using a typewriter (remember those devices) she listed a scripture reading for each day, and a suggested devotion. I asked if I could use the calendar for my congregation. A year later, we decided to collaborate – I created a design, and she chose the scriptures and devotions.
Little did we realize at the time that we would still be working on this annual endeavor over 25 years later. And what was once shared with two congregations, now goes far and wide to many people and many congregations. It has been a discipline of joy, and yes, sometimes frustration when the words of a poem will not come or I cannot think of a new design. Ultimately, it is a gift we seek to share each year, and one that we hope enriches the season of many.
Once again, I will be offering a daily email devotional based on the calendar during the season of Advent. If you received the devotional last year, you will be on the list for this year. If you did not receive it last year and would like to this year, or are unsure i you are on the list, you can respond to this newsletter with the word “yes” and I will add you.
Advent approaches. May we see signs of God’s grace wherever we look – even on a refrigerator door.
Faithfully,
Tom
Click below to download this year’s calendar: