Liturgy is where we publicly explore the multi-faceted and creative faith expressions of worship within the PAAC community. Here, we will have everything from theological musings and visual/mixed-media artist reflections, to poetry and fiction stories to ponder, dream, and reimagine how we can communally respond to the world around us.
Advent 2019 – Day 20 – Imagining an Alternative East Asian Christmas
I often wonder what a different Christmas might be like, what Christmas in Asia — in Persia, India, or China might have been like towards the end of the first millennium, when the early church in Asia had been active. How much of our understanding might be a relic of missionary and colonial history? How else have others understood the Incarnation in the past, and how might we broaden our horizons today?
Advent 2019 – Day 19 – The Patience to Let Justice Grow
A few weeks ago I returned to Malaysia to visit family, and – lo and behold! – discovered that my mom had planted three coconut trees in the front yard. The coconuts require lots of tender, loving care, demanding precise amounts of fertilizing for a few years before it can bear fruit, before we can enjoy cooling, sweet, fresh coconut!
Advent 2019 – Day 18 – Mary
Growing up in a Chinese evangelical-ish church, kneeling was taboo unless it was to God. At my grandma’s funeral, our family had even been excused from the traditional Buddhist prostrations before her casket. Yet here is my art history teacher, already getting on his knees before the painting of Mary inside Cavalletti Chapel.
Advent 2019 – Day 17 – Who… me
"The Magnificat" by Lourdes Bernard “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said,...
Advent 2019 – Day 16 – Adventual Tension
When I was a kid, Advent was an exciting time. Mostly because it was leading up to the reason for the season: Santa Claus and presents. What? Don’t @ me. Now, as an adult, mostly I feel dread and annoyance. I hate presents. I hate shopping. I hate the cold. And apparently, I really hate joy and happiness.
Advent 2019 – Day 15 – Isaiah 35: 1, 2, 4, 6, 10
Follow along with our 2019 Advent devotional series here and read our introduction post here. You can also subscribe for a weekly digest of all our posts on the right-hand sidebar.
Advent 2019 – Day 13 – The Pineapple
I bought myself a pineapple in December.
Without thinking, plunked it in the basket.
It wasn’t on sale.
It wasn’t particularly colorful
or fragrant.
It was mostly unripe—
Bright green, like bamboo,
With a foreshadowing of yellow.
Advent 2019 – Day 12 – Iterations of Arrival
Light in the Forest by Adeline DuckerWatercolor, 2018 Holy God,We rest at the foot of Your fountainWith nothing much besides worn spirits.You sayCome all who are weary--We’re here. // Entangled within decaying systemsWe await the advent of the only OneWho can uproot a...
Advent Day 11 – creation made co-heir, questioning
creation made co-heir,
questioning
how do I speak of glory
in this foreign land?
Advent 2019 – Day 10 – Being Hope to One Another
I grew up with what I called a wannabe “white savior complex,” also known as, “model minority.” My parents were saved by missionaries during the Khmer Rouge. I grew up seeing missionaries as my heroes and decided at the age of18, I would do such. My naïve pride expected me to teach the little Cambodian children English and guide them to Christ. I didn’t realize the injustice I was perpetuating by repeating the message I was taught that “Look at me! God brought me here to bring you salvation and you need to prevent your sins from my teaching.” Halfway through that “mission” trip, I ended up mistaking my homesickness by looking down at the others.
