ADVENT PREPARATION AND CONTINUITY

There is something reassuring about our traditional annual reflection with regard to the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, Christ's birth in the manger, and the promise of hope that arises within the celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. The story returns to us year upon year as a constant and tradition. It's a mainstay.

Within our personal lives as the years pass by, new family members may be born, others may return home to God, we might move or begin new work...but each December Christmas returns and the opportunity for renewal and hope is brought to light. There is a sense of familiarity and continuity that is sustaining and ever constant when Advent comes round and once again we begin anticipating His arrival.

On this second Sunday of Advent while I contemplate the story of Christ's birth, I am reflecting on how the story of my life is not unlike a complex and beautiful tapestry being woven upon a loom. Each thread and fiber holds an experience, interconnection with others, and frequently a valuable lesson or two. One by one the threads are woven together. These fibers stretch horizontally across the weaving creating the weft which will ultimately reveal the intricate design of a lifetime lived to completion.

Before the weaving begins, the Weaver fixes vertical fibers to the loom. The vertical fibers are strong and usually the same color. They form the warp that will hold all the other threads to the weaving. These are the durable and lasting fibers that are foundational to the lasting strength of the tapestry and all that will be woven over time. I imagine God places the warp on the loom of life before birth. Whatever particular strength is necessary becomes the anchor for the soul's journey from birth to death and beyond. Part of our work on this earth is come to know what our warp is made from.

If my life is viewed as a tapestry being woven upon a loom...what is the constant thread (my soul's strength), the foundational warp of my journey? What qualities, values, or beliefs hold my life experiences in place? How do I experience a sense of continuity and "weave" as my story unfolds upon the loom of life?

~~~~from SACRED-LIFE ARTS

THREADS AND THE PROCESS

In this instance, the process is that of DECONSTRUCTON. I finally got that row of stitches out--- having sewn an entire strip at class the other evening. It took quite awhile, maybe an hour. 

And I'm still pondering THREADS. who would have thought there were so many kinds, and colors, and purposes for them? You said you are a "thread addict"-- what is it about threads that so attracts you? What should I be taking in and learning?

PROCESS was worth some pondering too. Most of my life I have HATED deconstruction, i.e. taking out stitches with a seam ripper. Always felt like I was getting NOWHERE and never would. This evening, I came to accept that as PROCESS, and it doesn't matter which direction, per se, or whether it is for CONSTRUCTION or DECONSTRUCTION.... "to everything there is a season, a time to build up and a time to break down... and a time for every purpose under heaven". 

This acceptance may be temporary of course, and I may come up to this again.... but the acceptance this evening was..... INTERESTING. PEACEFUL. 

After sharing with her, this from my good friend D'v:

Not thought of that way but it's true. Isn't that what the Lord  is doing right now with us? Cutting out, removing, unstitching all the threads that we have, unwittingly or in sin, woven into the fabric of who we are, who we were designed to be? A necessary part of the process truly.   Interesting.

Threads are BEAUTIFUL. Colors colors everywhere. Colors. I heart them.  There are dIfferent thicknesses, different weaves, some divisible, since not.  There are breathtakingly beautiful hand dyed threads.  There are threads in cotton, silk, wool, bamboo even.  Extremely fine to very thick. DIfferent purposes, completely different looks. You'll probably use all of them at some point in embellishing.

They make me smile. They will you too.