Advent 21 - Creativity and Craft
By Debbie Green
There is joy in playing and not enough joy in praying. So let’s combine the two.
“Hands together, eyes closed,” is an old-fashioned school tactic to encourage children to stay still. It’s not biblical. At Christmas time we are surrounded by the creativity of others – from elegant luxury glass-blown baubles to apricot wild-rice stuffing with cranberry and orange. How about bringing your creativity to prayer? To calmly and methodically draw, cut, sew, paint, knit, crochet, wrap, or sculpt gives the human mind a perfect setting for meditating on all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent or praise-worthy.
Even if your end product doesn’t strike you as excellent or praise-worthy, making time for “making” means less dash and more hush.
Prayer can be a stillness in God’s presence that allows him to speak, and he often uses those things that are beautiful to reveal his character; or the process of trial and error to give us a deeper understanding of his faithfulness when times are hard.
Where to start? How about using the time when you are wrapping presents to pray for each person on the label? And as proof that you care, take time to make this wrapping, ribbon or even just the gift tag itself, something a bit special.
Or what about making something for your front room that reminds you of Christ’s birth, and as you create, try to cast your mind to Bethlehem, picturing poor Mary’s struggles, the angels’ jubilant songs and the bewilderment of the shepherds. Give God thanks for the miracle of Jesus in the form of a helpless baby, lying on scratchy straw far, far from home. This Prince of Peace who will endure the cross, carrying your burdens to give you peace with God.
Put down your shopping list and pick up a paintbrush. Make this Christmas one where you give yourself precious moments to find joy in God’s presence. Come to your Creator God and offer him your time and your imagination. Renew your mind in prayerful creativity.
“Good news of great joy”, the angels declare it.
Make banners, sing carols, wear clothes that can share it.
God came as a baby, he walked here with you -
Let’s knit it, pritt stick it and crochet it too.
God broke through our darkness, a bright shining Light.
Bring candles, hang fairy bulbs, gaze at the site.
Take time to consider Heaven’s King that came down,
Pull crackers, share jokes, wear your naff paper crown.
God made you, and put within you to create
So sew, sculpt, paint, doodle or present on a plate
Some edible fancy, it can be a release
And if it looks sad, you’re still God’s masterpiece.
A- Z of Wellbeing for Children
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