New Book!

While preparing for my MFA, I tried to write an unconventional Christmas book. My advisor said it was “OK” but not all that different. She suggested I try to tell the story from a different perspective, like from the star’s, so I did. Below is the end result. It is a tale of a star that doesn’t feel good enough. In the end it is all the things that made her feel not good enough that cause the Wise Men to notice her. In other words, her weaknesses are what led others to Christ. (Yes, there’s a sermon in that!) As faithful Brushstrokes readers, I thought you’d like to know about it

Advent II: Balconies

I worship in a church that has a balcony. In fact, it has three, and their presence offers a grand and glorious effect to the architecture of the space. Unfortunately, their presence also speaks of a history that is anything but grand and glorious. It was where “the help” were to sit, usually men and woman of color. In older churches, the balconies were reserved for slaves. Such spaces are not unique to churches, balconies in theaters and courtrooms also served the same purpose. (Remember, To Kill a Mockingbird?”

It is often tempting to look back and throw stones at the past, but the fact is we still live surrounded by balconies, most of them internal. It’s where we relegate people we’d rather not sit beside. It’s ok for _______ (fill in the blank) to be here, but just keep them away from me, the thinking goes. Maybe it’s the color of their skin, their socio-economic standing, where their from, or something they’ve done. Maybe it’s their political perspectives or religious beliefs that causes us to put someone in the balcony, but, whatever the reason, we are often eager to move people into balconies. We all have them and are more eager than we’d like to admit to usher those who differ from us to such set apart places. 

Looking up at the balcony last  Sunday, I saw a son of a friend of mine who was in town to visit. He and his husband chose to sit in the balcony. Maybe it’s where he likes to sit. Maybe it’s because it’s where he sat as a child. Maybe not.

Advent is a season that calls us to reflect on our lives and consider making room in the inn. After all, there were no balconies in the stable. Shepherds knelt beside wise men, sheep beside cattle. Everyone had the same view of the one who came to take balconies away. Maybe he was trying to teach us something from the very start.

Advent Thinking:

Who do you put in the balcony?

When have you ever felt like you were placed apart from others?

What would it look like for you to invite someone from the balcony to sit beside you?

What would it take to refuse to be ushered up into the balcony?

Advent I: Clearing the airways.

I was recently in a home that had a Bluetooth speaker system. I strutted about with my phone in my pocket playing my favorite music for all to hear. That is, until I walked to a place where a stone fireplace blocked the signal. The music began to break up and static filled the air. I quickly realized what the problem was and moved to where nothing stood between my phone and the stereo, and the music returned.

As I began thinking about the season of Advent, which begins this Sunday, I realized that one of the purposes of Advent is to clear the airwaves. Those of us who consider themselves spiritual people believe a connection between God and ourselves is possible, as illusive or mysterious as it sometimes feels. Over time, however, things like the big stone fireplace get in between us and suddenly the signal begins breaking up and static fills the air. 

The obstacles come in many shapes and sizes. A packed schedule can certainly stand in the way, so can a cell phone that’s glued to our ear or ever before our eyes. Unhealthy relationships or seeking the wrong person’s approval can distract us, just as unhealthy habits can. 

Advent is a time to look at what blocks the signal. It is a time to listen anew and move to where the signal is stronger, or remove what’s standing in the way. 

The good news is, with renewed effort, the signal returns and we can, as it is said in the Christmas season, “hear, again, the song of angels.”

Extra Credit:

Listen for God’s voice. Is the signal clear, or is it breaking up? What stands in the way, and what steps can you take (today, this week, this season) to clear the airways between you and God?