About the Devotional’s Authors
Doris Chandler
Doris is ordained in as a PC(USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament, has served PC(USA) congregations in Alabama and New York, and presently serves a PC(USA) congregation in Michigan. Prior to ordination, Doris was a science educator in public schools.
Dog and nature lover, stargazer, leaf peeper, and Mandalorian fan, she loves hot chocolate crowned with miniature marshmallows on brrrr-cold snowy days, an early morning cup of dark roast coffee, and Mandalorian conversations with her son. In her down time, you’ll find her reading, gardening, walking, playing fetch with her beloved American Cocker Spaniel. Watching hummingbirds sip nectar brings joyful delight.
JJ Simpson-Keelan
JJ is a second career pastor serving at Living Waters in Ringoes, New Jersey. Prior to ministry, she worked for almost thirty years at International Flavors and Fragrances, starting as an analytical chemist and then holding positions in operations, customer service, information technology, and global purchasing. She is also a certified project management professional.
JJ found Backstory Preaching shortly into her first call and believes the community, support, and ideas you find here will fill your well.
Might an ampersand (“&”) be a fitting replacement for the A in Advent?
Wedged between Thanksgiving & Christmas Day, again & again, Advent comes.
With locust and wild honey breath, John sounds the alarm in the wilderness: “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.”
Advent asks us to wait…keep awake…pay attention…be alert.
With daylight closing its shutters earlier and nights growing longer, the year is drawing ever closer to its setting.
Could nature be one of our conversation companions this Advent?
Could nature inspire us and remind us again of the One who is to come?
The One who—
…feathers the dawn with wisps of pomegranate red, tangerine orange & faded teal
…sprinkles the night with stars that serve as trustworthy maps for migrating birds & sailors at sea
…delights in painted October leaves dancing in the wind?
In the words of Henry David Thoreau:
“There is as much [Advent] beauty [and inspiration] visible to us in the landscape of nature as we are prepared to appreciate,
—not a grain more.”
Advent is a season with intention and purpose.
This time is not something we should be rushing through to get to Christmas.
Like all deliciously wonderful things in life, Advent takes time to simmer and to develop flavor, texture, and richness.
Consider this an invitation to settle in and set aside time for this season of Advent— Lectio style, as we practice at Backstory Preaching: slow, without agenda or hurry to make meaning, allowing wonder and curiosity to surface as they will.
We have created a devotional based on the assigned texts from the Revised Common Lectionary, Yr B. Inside you’ll find corresponding word clouds, photographs, and resources, as well as questions for reflection.
We offer this devotional with the hope that it becomes one of your Advent companions.
May this devotion offer you a sense of ease and comfort, a place for the Spirit to simmer inside you and inspire you to pull up a chair alongside nature—to see and hear her Advent beauty.
May you savor this Advent season as you prepare your heart to welcome the Christ child again…in new ways.
We look forward to hearing about how you used and experienced this devotional this Advent season.
Blessings as you journey with God,
Doris Chandler and JJ Simpson-Keelan