“In this image, Simeon bestows his blessing and prophecy with the urgency of a man desperate to say everything that needs to be said before his time runs out. Anna looks off into the distance, as if peering into the future. Her devotion to God over the years has sharpened her gaze; she knows redemption when she sees it.

In the top left, I depicted Jesus’ hand being cradled by the hands of his parents. This tender moment is frozen in time, like a Polaroid photograph placed in a scrapbook. Mary and Joseph treasure their child as they receive the fullness of his calling. I imagine them memorizing each wrinkle and tiny fingernail, treasuring the smallness of a hand that will one day become a strong fist, fighting for justice for the oppressed and liberation for those held captive.”

— from the artist statement for “Revelation” by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | @sanctifiedart

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“Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming”. The season of Advent is the first season of the Christian church year and encompasses the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a season of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ on Christmas, which lasts for 12 days until Epiphany (January 6).

This Advent, we will be going through a series titled How does a weary world rejoice? created by A Sanctified Art. We hope these daily meditations will accompany and inspire you on your Advent journey!

You can view the FULL devotional booklet (with art, reflections, prayers) HERE.