An Audacious Advent: Reimagining Advent Through the Lens of Justice and Mission
As we approach the holiday season, we often find ourselves longing for the familiar comforts of traditions, cozy gatherings, and the warmth of festive lights. But what if this year, we dared to embrace a new and audacious Advent journey? What if we set aside the conventional and move outside our comfort zones to make space at the table for everyone? To go beyond the margins?
Welcome to the Women Speakers Collective's 8-week Advent series, where we embark on a transformative exploration of Advent's true spirit.
Setting the Table for an Audacious Advent (Weeks 1-4)
In the first four weeks, beginning on October 31st, we will "Set the Table for an Audacious Advent." During this time, we invite you to prepare your hearts for a new and radical kind of Advent season. Our journey will delve deep into the very core of Advent, exploring themes such as radical welcome, inclusion, love, equity, going to the margins, and making space at the table.
Week 1 (October 31) - Equity: A Seat at the Table
This week, we will examine the distinction between equality and equity, exploring what it means to regard others as image bearers of God and to ensure that everyone finds a place at the table.
Week 2 (November 7) - Radical Welcome and Making Space
It's all about extending a radical welcome and making space for those who have been overlooked and marginalized. Join us in redefining what it means to truly belong.
Week 3 (November 14) - Radical Inclusion and Love
Discover the transformative power of radical inclusion as we explore what it looks like to publicly embody and reflect the love of God to the world around us.
Week 4 (November 21) - Going to the Margins
Explore what it means to go to the margins, following the example of Jesus, who moved into the neighborhood of the marginalized and served selflessly.
An Audacious Advent
(Weeks 5-8)
The second half of our Advent journey begins on November 28th and extends through December. In these weeks, we will reimagine hope, peace, joy, and love through the lens of justice and mission.
Week 1 (November 28) - Reimagining Hope
Join us in redefining hope as we strive for a world filled with justice, compassion, and the audacious belief in the possibility of a better tomorrow.
Week 2 (December 5) - Reimagining Peace
Experience peace, not as a mere absence of conflict, but as a powerful presence of justice and equity, particularly in a season that calls us to go beyond peacekeeping and embrace the critical work of peacemaking.
Week 3 (December 12) - Reimagining Joy
Joy is not merely a fleeting feeling but a profound state of being, one that encompasses both love and inclusion. Together, let's explore what it looks like to hold space for both joy and grief in the complexities of life.
Week 4 (December 19) - Reimagining Love
In the final week, we reflect on love that transcends boundaries, reaching out to the world around us with open hearts.
In our series, we invite you to step away from the ordinary and journey towards an Advent season filled with audacity and compassion. As we move from formalities and traditions towards sweat equity and radical inclusion, we encourage you to tune in each week for fresh blog posts, engaging social media content, and practical ideas that will help you approach the Advent season with a bold and uninhibited spirit of audacity.
You can follow along with this series on your own or consider studying it with your church or community group. Together, we’ll discover that Advent is less about being comfy, cozy, and traditional, and more about thinking outside of ourselves to radically love and serve others, just as Jesus did when He "became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14, MSG).
Join us on this profound voyage and prepare your heart for an extraordinary journey that promises to challenge thoughts, to shift perspectives, and to audaciously redefine the Advent season.
Let's reimagine Advent together!