“In the parable... the invited reject, but the rejected are embraced. In the art, the welcoming branches of the tree bear good fruit. The invitation continues to grow and flourish...”
—from the artist’s statement for “There Is Still Room” by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | @sanctifiedart
“The extraordinary people who hope to emulate God’s transcendent love invite into their company not just those who have, but those who need. They make the broken ones socially whole and physically welcome."
—Rev. Dr. Brian Blount, from his commentary on Luke 14:15-24 | @sanctifiedart
We often describe Jesus’ ministry as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots... to hear, see, and taste what is good.
@sanctifiedart
Let us believe, with trembling hope,
that fear does not have the last word.
Because fear doesn’t stop us.
Love leads us forward.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18 | @sanctifiedart
We won’t let fear paralyze us, no we won’t stay locked in place
Staying nimble, we’ll move forward
Keeping safe by crossing borders
Move around the fear with grace
For we know we’ve seen God’s face
—from the hymn “We’ve Seen God’s Face” by Rev. Anna Strickland | @sanctifiedart
For years, I have been reminding people that Jesus was gifted gold, frankincense, and myrrh by people who followed the stars to find him.
—from the artist statement for “King Tingz” by Rev. Nicolette Faison (@nicolette.faison) | @sanctifiedart
I will not tell you that all shall be well
or that morning will come quickly.
I will not ask you to march into danger
without first repeating your name in my prayers.
—from the poem “A Step Toward Home” by Rev. Sarah Speed | @sanctifiedart
The Christmas story does not promise us a world without Herods,
but it does promise us Emmanuel—God with us—even when we’re running.
The presence of God does not remove the threat,
but transforms how we respond to it.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee | @sanctifiedart
The story of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt takes new significance as I consider not only the experiences of dear ones around the world, but also my own ancestors. My piece focuses on a parent’s desperate grip of their child’s hand...
—by Rev. T. Denise Anderson (@tdandersonart) | @sanctifiedart
Anywhere God’s children suffer, anywhere they live in fear
Anywhere oppression deepens, anywhere they sow in tears
Let us shine the light of justice, fueled by fear that had us bound
Hand in hand, proclaim God’s kin-dom ‘til we topple every crown
—by Rev. Anna Strickland | @sanctifiedart
We often imagine fear as something to overcome or silence.
But here, fear becomes a catalyst for movement.
The Holy Family’s flight to Egypt is born of fear—
but it is also born of love,
of protection,
of resistance to unjust power.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee | @sanctifiedart
When you are afraid, because this world is cruel and harsh,
or because humans are deported and shot without reason,
or because we cannot remember how to talk to each other civilly,
I will be your pack. I will stay by your side. I will run with you...
—by Rev. Sarah Speed | @sanctifiedart
Luke’s story insists that the good news of God has weight and presence.
But it needs to be amplified. Proclaimed.
In a world where fear is curated and fed to us,
proclaiming good news is a countercultural act.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Luke 2:1-20 | @sanctifiedart
It was almost as if the earth was saying, sure,
things are chaotic here,
but pause for a moment... Remember that even
when bad news is unforgiving and entrenched, good news grows
out of its cage, across the sidewalk, just to get to you.
—from “Honeysuckle” by Rev. Sarah Speed | @sanctifiedart
Euphobia, the fear of good news, often stems from past losses, fear of change, or the pressure of new expectations. Joy and relief may come first, but they’re often followed by a quiet dread. What now? What could this mean?
—by Carmelle Beaugelin (@beaufoliostudio) | @sanctifiedart
Because tonight, we remember:
Fear may be loud, but love is louder.
Violence may be strong, but hope is stronger.
And the good news—God is here—will not be silenced.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Luke 2:1-20 | @sanctifiedart
Surrender to the joy this night of God incarnate born for us
Shout in the streets, wake those who sleep to join the angel chorus
Shout! Shout your glorias in all the earth and heav’n above
Shout! Shout the angels’ news that hope is born in Jesus
—by Rev. Anna Strickland | @sanctifiedart
God’s people are exiled under the thumb of a world power. Fearful... Despite the fear that causes the very earth to tremble, God accompanies the downtrodden, upholding them with a steady hand.
—from the artist statement for “I Am With You” by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | @sanctifiedart
God’s work in the world unfolds not through lone heroes,
but through the joined hands of those who choose:
relationship over self-protection,
accompaniment over certainty,
and presence over perfection.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Matthew 1:18-25 | @sanctifiedart
I have struggled to sit with Joseph and how he processes all of this change with his new wife... This made me think of a Joseph who can’t sleep well at night, as his mind is uneasy with the words of Gabriel in his ear.
— by Rev. Nicolette Faison (@nicolette.faison) | @sanctifiedart
As an adult, I don’t know what ever happened
to those blue-grey walkie talkies.
But I know,
that even today,
if the monsters in the closet feel too real,
and you whisper my name,
I promise I’ll be close.
—from the poem “Tethered” by Rev. Sarah Speed | @sanctifiedart
Neither Mary nor Jeremiah embody boldness as spectacle.
Their strength lies in quiet resolve—
in the holy, hesitant yes that dares to trust.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Luke 1:26-39 and Jeremiah 1:4-10 | @sanctifiedart
Do not fear. Like Jeremiah, we are but children ill-equipped for the call, but God reaches out and calls us anyway... The temple is gone. Hard work is ahead.
—from the artist statement for “To Build and to Plant” by Hannah Garrity | @sanctifiedart
The first step is always the hardest,
but you, beloved, were born for this.
—from the poem “The First Step” by Rev. Sarah Speed | @sanctifiedart
O come, O come though you feel unprepared
When courage fails you, do it scared
Don’t let the fear of making mistakes
Impede you from the path you’re called to take
Take heart, take heart!
—from the hymn “O Come, Take Heart” by Rev. Anna Strickland | @sanctifiedart
Elizabeth’s pregnancy provides reassurance that Mary can trust the angel’s impossible news... Her miracle is real, even as it is yet to be born. Therefore, Mary can rest her hope in an emerging—not empty—promise.
—from the artist statement by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | @sanctifiedart
We’re often taught that fear is failure—
something to silence or push through.
But this Advent, we’re invited to see fear as information.
Some fear protects us.
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Luke 1:26-39 and Jeremiah 1:4-10 | @sanctifiedart
Advent does not require us to manufacture hope.
It invites us to bring our emptied hope to Jesus,
to ask the hard questions,
and to listen again for signs of God’s nearness...
—Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, from her commentary on Matthew 11:1-11 | @sanctifiedart
... in this case water is coming to the rescue. How do the waters help us see God and ourselves? ... what can we discern in the stillness when we divest from the cycle of fear and turn to the water?
—from the artist statement by Rev. T. Denise Anderson (@tdandersonart) | @sanctifiedart
... from home—
a dozen blueberry muffins, a love letter with my name on it,
a reminder that I was not alone.
If you’re running out of hope, count to three.
God is in the kitchen. She’s just waiting for yeast to rise.
—from the poem “God in the Kitchen” by Rev. Sarah Speed | @sanctifiedart
