Light in the darkness
Chelsea Van Der Poel explores how regardless the season, God's goodness creates a hopeful new day.
2021: This advent series invited 25 Christians to share their reflections on 'A New Day'.
This series has been crafted by diverse contributors who are pursuing Jesus and Justice across these lands now called Australia including Chelsea Van Der Poel, Jessica Morris, Ellie Gunton, Brian Kolia, Uncle Nelson Varcoe, Aunty Dr Anne Patel-Gray, Dave Sigley, Deborah van Bennekom, Neil Holm, John Stanley, Helen Wright, Cory Mitchell, Kelli Hughes, Sally Longley, Chris Mann, Vanessa Hughes, Micaela Schmidt, Penny Kleemann, Claire Harvey, Karen Pack, Teresa Brierley, Nathan Forster, Brooke Prentis, a female Aboriginal Christian Leader, and a survivor of family violence.
In 2021 we also invited photographers from the Common Grace movement to share images of A New Day. These striking and inspiring images of sunrise and sunset from Biz Adams, John Englezos, Tim Everist, Amanda Hallihan, Leaf Klevjer, Shakina Phelix, Chelsea Van Der Poel, Brooke Prentis and others will lead our devotional series through a special journey across Country of these lands now called Australia.
For many of us in these lands now called Australia, entering into Advent 2021 perhaps feels like 2020 on repeat. With another year of a global pandemic, for some of us each day has been a blur of going to bed each night and getting up each morning. Each day the sun rises and the sun sets.
This Advent, we step into a new day with the expectant hope of the birth of Jesus. We step into a new day where we are reminded of our God who does not ignore cries for justice. We step into a new day with God who is restoring relationships and renewing creation. Our God, who came into this earthly world, in the most unlikely and unexpected way, who so loved the world that God gave God’s only Son. This is our New Day each and every day.
Together may we find the new way of Jesus, for ourselves, our families, our communities, our nation, and our world.
To see the inspiration for this year’s Advent theme check out the song and poetry collaboration by Helen Wright and Brooke Prentis, “A New Day” here.
Chelsea Van Der Poel explores how regardless the season, God's goodness creates a hopeful new day. Jessica Morris explores the restoration and hope we have in Jesus’ birth. Ellie Gunton captures the small moments that bring joy and show us God’s love and grace this Advent season. Chloe*, a survivor of family violence, refuses to allow violence to be the end of the story and points to new life.
Rev Dr Brian Kolia points to the call to ground ourselves in humility. Uncle Nelson Varcoe shares his words through his gift music to invite us to join him in singing the way of Jesus. Aunty Dr. Anne Pattel-Gray reflects on the hope found in the Creator Spirit walking alongside us each and everyday. Pastor Dave Sigley captures the hope and flourishing of God’s covenant relationship with all creation.
Pastor Deborah van Bennekom celebrates the Living Water of the Spirit that springs up in each of us and in community. Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman Jill Doolan asks the question: What was this new thing God would be doing? Rev John Stanley invites us to see and stand with the little ones. Pastor Helen Wright invites us to rethink the wilderness and encourages us to take time to hear the voice of the Creator. Pastor Cory Mitchell recounts the everyday sights, sounds, and smells that awaken us to the new way of the Spirit. Kelli Hughes shares how Jesus’ call to love one another is lived in action. Dr Sally Longley challenges us with a question - ‘How can you tell when the night has ended and a new day begun?’ Pastor Chris Mann reflects on the value God places on each of us and the hope we have in the way of Jesus, each and every day. Vanessa Hughes captures the hope we have of each new day because of our precious cornerstone. Micaela Schmidt reflects on light breaking forth like the dawn when our attitudes meet the attributes of Jesus. Penny Kleemann invites us into the story of a new Way and reveals Jesus’ Alternative story.
Claire Harvey captures our experience of waiting for the new heavens and new earth. Karen Pack encourages us to welcome the new thing God is doing through the people we least expect. Teresa Brierley encourages us to shine on those living in darkness as God guides our feet. Nathan Forster encourages us to hear a song of Justice in a climate of disillusionment and despair. Brooke Prentis remembers sunrises and sunsets, capturing the eager anticipation of a new day, a celebration of God at work and Jesus with us! Light in the darkness
Labouring into the dawn
Big and small signs
New life and regrowth
Out of the ground
Singing the way
The word becoming flesh
Hope for all creation
In the flow
My homeland, God's peoples
The little ones
A voice cries out
Sights, sounds and smells
A new Commandment
Loving our enemies
A new treasure
Our sure Foundation for the days ahead!
Seeking in the fields
Content without the cash?
Waiting
In solidarity with grace
The dawn of peace
Mary's melody
Remembering, reflecting, and realising
Promote this series on your social media channels today and in your faith community this weekend and encourage your friends to sign up along with you:
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