This is a big week for those of us in the USA. Thursday is Thanksgiving, which means many of you lead Thanksgiving Eve Services on Wednesday. CLICK HERE to view my visual resources for Thanksgiving.

Then Advent begins on Sunday. I have three special gifts for you in addition to the regular weekly resource page for the lectionary texts:

1. Be sure to download your FREE Virtual Advent Wreath.
2. Join me each Friday on the Art of Advent page for Painting Advent: A Contemplative Art Practice. It starts this Friday at 4:00pm CT as a way to counteract the hustle and bustle of Black Friday. The recording of each session will remain on YouTube to watch at your own convenience.
3. A Free 4-Day Mindful Advent Challenge from Faith+Lead that uses my Advent Art videos from last year to guide you through a 4-day experience of slowing down to begin the Advent season. Learn more and register HERE.

The texts for Advent this week cluster around a theme of hope. The people of Israel were in a dark time of suffering. They wondered where God was and how the promises made to Abraham could possibly come true. The words of each text in each context remind the readers–and remind us–that God is faithful to God’s promises and that the love of God always outlasts and overcomes the darkness of evil and oppression.

May you be filled with hope this week.

Join us every Monday afternoon on Zoom for a visual text study of the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday. This is one of the perks of joining the network.