Why I’m Happy to Have a Little Lent in My Advent This Year

In these days of Advent when most everyone I know is thinking about Christmas, this year I have Lent on my mind. In part, it’s because Advent and Lent have a lot in common. Just as the weeks of Advent prepare us for Christmas, so the weeks of Lent prepare us for Easter. Historically, both seasons emphasize repentance, prayer, and doing good. In some circles, Advent is even known as a little Lent.

But the main reason that I’m happily thinking about Lent these days is that I’ve just signed a book contract with Abingdon Press for a series of Lenten Bible studies for 2017!

I’m thrilled to be working with Abingdon Press on this project:

For more than 200 years, Abingdon Press has continued a tradition in religious publishing for crossing denominational boundaries with thought-provoking and enjoyable books. Abingdon Press is an imprint of The United Methodist Publishing House, in operation since 1789. In the early 1920s, Abingdon began publishing a wide array of high-caliber academic, professional, inspirational, and life-affirming religious literature to enrich church communities across the globe. Now beginning its ninth decade, Abingdon Press has a commitment to providing the best, most effective religious publications available. (from the Abingdon Press website)

My editor has suggested the title, Christ Is for Us, and the book will include reflections on the lectionary texts for each week of Lent 2017, questions for discussion, group activities, and closing prayers. I’m eager to get started!

It’s too early for cover art, but here’s a look at Abingdon’s Advent 2015 study in the same series, and I understand the same book designer will work on my book cover too:

 

As I look forward to this new project, it’s also a good time to take stock of how Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal has been doing this year.

Reader and hospital chaplain, Grace Wulff, sent me this drawing of a Sacred Pauses mug and a copy of her book, Gifts for the Journey: A Hospital Chaplain’s Reflections on Life and the Life to Come.

Church Health Reader published a great review:

Sacred Pauses is unique in that it reaches out to a variety of people. It speaks to teenagers in a youth group, Christians new to the faith and anyone trying to rediscover their relationship with God. This book could be read in many different congregational settings like a Sunday school class or a book study. Sacred Pauses guides the reader in daily spiritual practices that are separate from their regular weekly church attendance.

When Seattle Pacific University invited me to speak on Sabbath, Self-Care, and Sacred Pauses, I met Professor of Theology Douglas Koskela who uses Sacred Pauses in his University Foundations course.

My good friend and fellow pastor and writer, Chuck Aaron, recommends Sacred Pauses in his recent adult Bible study, Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings: 

One of my favorite suggestions in her book is to choose an everyday icon, an object that reminds us of God’s presence in our lives. We look at the object and remind ourselves to slow down and feed our souls. . . . I have chosen a cross my wife gave me. I like art of unusual media. The cross is made from rusted wire. When I look at the icon, I remind myself of God’s presence and healing during the”corrosive” influences in my life. (page 92)

The Moravian Board of Cooperative Ministries lists Sacred Pauses as a resource for nurturing spiritual growth, and Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation lists it as a retreat resource.

I’m happy for these glimpses of Sacred Pauses throughout the year–it’s taken on a life of its own that’s impossible to keep track of, which is one of the great things about writing. Once a piece is published, it no longer belongs only to me, but to whoever reads it and wherever that may be. A Twitter friend wrote, “Praying for fresh anointing on your words this week as you bless the people.” For writing projects past and present, I pray that too: May they bless, encourage, and inspire those who read, practice, teach, and use them.

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