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Rewilding our Souls

Six Word Sermons for Advent

12/16/2022

 
Hope is our grounding in shadow.


Peace runs deep; listening, connecting, flourishing.


Joy comes to an open hand.


Love inspires action, caring beyond self.
Picture

Blessed be the darkness

11/26/2022

 
A blessing for heading into December and Advent

Blessed be the darkness,

protecting, covering, comforting. 
Blessed be the early evenings, 
and long nights. 
Blessed be the moon and stars, 
and monochrome landscapes.
Blessed be the deep stillness
and inner quiet. 
Blessed be the hope
held in the shadows,
beneath the ground, 
and deep in the belly.

​- Wendy Janzen

Shining Sacred Love

12/19/2021

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Fourth Sunday of Advent

​Four flames,

lights shining
in the deepest, darkest 
time of the year,
moving us closer
to the arrival of
the one for whom 
we’ve been
waiting and watching.
These lights shine
sacred love,
love which births
everything into existence,
love which begets wholeness
love that stirs our hearts
and shows us the 
path to deep love.

​- Wendy Janzen
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Dancing with Joy

12/12/2021

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Third Sunday of Advent

Three candles,

a trinity of light,
a holy mystery,
an interrelationship
of revelations
and incarnations.
Flames dancing with
joy and life,
engaging and
laughing like
the one who
loved children
spoke in riddles
welcomed all
and brought healing
to the brokenness
of the world, 
and, celebrating 
the one who 
was and is 
always here, 
bigger than we 
ever imagined,
holding both
our fear and 
our joy.

- Wendy Janzen
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A Peaceful Embrace

12/5/2021

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Second Sunday of Advent
​

Two lit candles - 
a sacred conversation
inviting us in and 
drawing us closer,
reminding us of 
the dynamic relationship 
between earth and heaven,
light and dark, 
body and soul.
a conversation since
The beginning of time,
engaging all the world 
and pulling us into a
peaceful embrace 
with the one who
is the divine indwelling
holding all things
together. 

- Wendy Janzen
​
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Proclaiming Hope

11/28/2021

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Proclaiming Hope on the First Sunday of Advent

One flame

shining in
the night:
comforting, 
preparing,
watching 
for one
who breaks
into our
darkness,
illuminating 
the shadows,
proclaiming
hope
for a 
new day.

- Wendy Janzen
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Advent 4 - Sit with us

12/20/2020

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December 20, Advent 4 - Sit with Us

Earth Maker,

Light Keeper, 
Darkness Holder:
We continue to move 
deeper into this season 
of waiting and watching, 
deeper into the darkness 
to the brink of the longest night.
We are learning anew 
what it means to wait - 
to see or hug a loved one, 
to get through quarantine, 
to take off our mask, 
to get test results,  
to be done with this pandemic...
Sometimes there’s not much more 
we can do than befriend darkness
even as we wait for the light.
Let the season of winter 
instruct us in the art of 
stillness and waiting.
Sit with us in our waiting
and surround us with love - 
love that casts out fear
and holds us close
and assures us that our waiting
is not in vain.
Amen.
-Wendy Janzen
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Advent 3 - Restore Us

12/9/2020

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December 13, Advent 3 - Restore Us

Light of Life,

We light candles this season, not simply
out of tradition or coziness, though there’s that,
but because we believe in the Light
that shines in the darkness,
restoring all that is lost and broken,
relegated to shadow, forgotten, 
or desecrated. 
Restore us to wholeness - to
our state of original blessing,
to be bearers of your light and goodness.
Restore Earth to wholeness - to
Her state of blessedness and sacredness,
vital, fruitful, balanced.
Restore the threads of the web of Life -
once strong but now frayed 
from lack of attention and care, 
consumerism, and poor theology.
Restore our joy in life - bring laughter
to our lips, beauty to our eyes,
and deeper bonds to our relationships.
We pray as those who sense your
presence among us in light and dark,
now and always.
Amen 

​- Wendy Janzen
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Advent 2 - Be our peace

12/4/2020

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December 6, Advent 2 – Be our Peace 

​Peace of the Earth:

We have been on a tumultuous ride
These past months, and we are 
Frazzled, worn out, and tired. 
Open our hearts to notice 
Peace around us - in 
Softly falling snow,
Starry nights,
Candle light,
Still water.
Be our peace,
Our comforter, 
Our solid ground
As we breathe deeply
And remember to carry
Your peace within our being
On the path toward Christmas.
Bring peace here and everywhere.
Amen.

​- Wendy Janzen
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Advent 1 - I am ready

11/24/2020

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Advent 1 – I am ready
​

Light of the world:
As my little spot on this earth
tilts away from the 
warming sun, as days 
continue to shorten
while shadows lengthen,
and cold winds turn rain to snow, 
I am ready. I am ready for this 
season of waiting, anticipation, 
hope, slowing down, and
embracing darkness even while 
yearning for light.
I am ready to light a candle
in the night, a bold prayer
and declaration that
I am ready to receive the
gifts of incarnation:
God among us, 
here, now.
Amen

- Wendy Janzen
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    Author

    Reflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources  written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted.
    ​
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

    If you are an established church or institution, please consider making a donation when using these resources in addition to attribution. Thanks!

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