Living the Painting: Advent Week Four

If the Return of the Prodigal Son were a theater production, which part would I audition for?  After spending Advent immersed in the story, I know I could play either son well.  But do I have what it takes to play the father?

I set out on this writing project without knowing it would end where it started:   

Lost in Advent: Week Three

Last week the Peace of Advent was seen in the prodigal son’s return to the father of Advent Hope from week one.   This third Sunday of Advent – themed on Joy –  I’m seeing myself in the older brother.  And it’s not hard for me to do.  Especially

Child Again: Advent Week Two

The prodigal son was once an innocent child, and then he wasn’t.  And now he wants to be again.

Last week‘s Advent focused on Hope by sitting with the Father on the porch, “actively waiting for that moment when the child turns home.”  This week I’m inviting myself to return home with the son, who like the second week of Advent, is yearning for Peace.  I’m spending time with Rembrandt’s painting and Nouwen’s book to cast new light on my favorite parable.

The prodigal son was a child, a young man, who declared in the most dramatic way, “Myself.” My daughter as a toddler would pull

The Porch: Advent Week One

When the father runs off the front porch, down the pathway to meet the son staggering home – THAT is the Christmas story.  All those months waiting on the parental porch, hoping for a return, praying into embrace, THAT is Advent.

Our Christmas morning wrapping-paper-flinging has always