This Advent, we will be focusing on the theme “What do you fear?: Insisting on Hope this Advent.” Created by A Sanctified Art, this series will walk us through the Gospel of Luke, looking at the stories of Jesus’s birth – stories with implications of fear of the world around them layered throughout the texts. But stories that are also filled with the good news of great joy and hope that is to be found in Christ’s birth. 

We too live in a world where fear is often the louder voice that creates chaos, division, and anxiety in our communities. Similarly to the Advent narrative context, our society is filled with oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. Finding hope in the midst of rampant fear is difficult. The creators from A Sanctified Art share: 

“Fear can divide and paralyze us, and even be used as a tool for oppression. But what if we formed a different relationship with fear? Can we acknowledge fear without letting it rule us? Might we catalyze our fears into love and action? What if naming our fears help us see more clearly how God is breaking in and where God is at work? … Every Advent, we light candles, sing carols, and pray for Christ’s coming because we believe God entered a frightened world to bring good news…This season, let us insist on hope and trust that good news is greater than fear.” 

We invite you to join us this Advent season as we name our fears, seek out hope, and prepare for the good news in the birth of Christ.