ONLINE EVENT: “Every Breath a Birth: Meditations for Advent and Christmastide,” Wednesday, December 13, 5–6 p.m. ET: RSVP for Image journal’s third annual Advent Art Salon [previously], featuring a musical performance by Page CXVI, seasonal recipes by Ashley Rodriguez and Mark Sprinkle, poetry readings by Thomas Lynch and Suphil Lee Park, a homily by Bobby Gross, and a blessing by James K. A. Smith.
Image has also published a new chapbook this month, Every Breath a Birth, featuring twenty-three distinct creative works (poems, short stories, literary essays, visual art) that draw from its thirty-five-year archival history to celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Before December 3, it’s $17—or you can purchase it along with an annual subscription to the quarterly Image for just $30!
(The cover art is the painting Ice Out (Allagash) by Eric Aho, from the “In the Studio” feature in Image no. 110.)
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SONGS:
Advent is a season of waiting with deep longing and hope for that long-looked-for day when fear and pain will be no more because Christ will reign and set this world free. These songs tap into that.
>> “It Will Go One Day” by Mac Meador (2015):
>> “Redemption Draweth Nigh” by Gordon Jensen (1970), performed by Rumbi Lee (2018): The title and refrain of this contemporary hymn are drawn from Luke 21:28: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (KJV).
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STREET ART SERIES: Medicinal Flowers of Lebanon by Faith XLVII: In September 2021, South African artist Faith XLVII (Liberty Du) traveled to Beirut to paint curative flowers across the rubble of the Lebanese city in the wake of the August 4, 2020, port explosion that caused at least 218 deaths, 7,000 injuries, and $15 billion in property damage, as well as leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless. Rosehips, horned poppies, chicory, African carline thistle—all these botanicals are used in remedies for common ailments. “Each flower urges us, in a sense, towards healing as they grow out of the concrete,” the artist said.
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NEW ALBUMS:
>> The Soil and The Seed Project, vol. 8: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany: For the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany triad of the church year comes this new album from The Soil and The Seed Project, a ministry of Virginia Mennonite Missions—and recently Lilly-Endowed! All their music is free—for download, and even as physical CDs while supplies last. Below are two of my favorite tracks, both written by new contributors to the project. The first verse of Philip Fisher Rhodes’s “Bethlehem One” is in the voice of the in utero Christ; the second, the shepherds; the third, the wise men. The song is sung by Ben Luna. And “Peace Prayer” by Susan Gascho-Cooke is a plea that God would hold his arms around “this tilting planet,” the world’s wounds, and all people.
Each TSATP album is part of a larger project that also includes “Little Liturgies” booklets perfect for families with small kids (but that can also be used by individuals and small groups). Each booklet includes litanies, prayers, reflection questions, suggested activities, and visual art—and again, they’re free! Request a digital or physical copy here.
>> Kindness Is Solid Stone, Violence Is a Heavy Loan to Pay by David Benjamin Blower: Released November 3 and available on Bandcamp only, this album features nine original songs by writer, poet, theologian, and podcaster David Benjamin Blower of Birmingham, UK. I appreciate the minimalist sound and the stark lyricism. My favorite track is probably “Meet Me Where I Sing and Stamp My Feet”:
Art & Theology 