WordWorkers
2024 Advent Calendar

Every Advent, All Saints' team of writers, WordWorkers, creates a virtual "Advent Calendar."  Each day from the first Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2024) through Christmas Day features a unique piece of original writing. The pieces range across scriptural devotion, Christmas memories, meditations, seasonal poetry, and extended fiction. You can easily explore the writings, or you can simply read them in the order they are posted.

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O Christmas Tree
December 24th, 2024
On Christmas Eve, the lights in our sanctuary sparkle brightly. The wreaths hang in the windows, the fully lit Advent wreath shines forth a warm light, the congregation holds flickering candles (of both flame and LEDs), and the tree twinkles with lights, ornaments, and strands of beads.If you are in the sanctuary this Christmas season, or watch the service online, you might not notice how large th...
Into Darkness
December 23rd, 2024
It is easy to feel isolated in this cold and dark time of year. Perhaps you’ve moved recently and are now hours away from family and friends. It doesn’t have to be physical distance, though. With everyone’s varied and busy schedules, it’s easy to live within a few miles, yet be unable to find a time that works for everyone to gather. Alone in the dreary cold of winter, it can be difficult to remai...
Into the World
December 22nd, 2024
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,    who are one of the little clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me    one who is to rule in Israel,whose origin is from of old,    from ancient days.— Micah 5:2 And Mary said,“My soul magnifies the Lord,    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.    Surely from now on all generations will c...
Trio of Haikus
December 21st, 2024
Barren pines keep watchas snowdrifts pile on their roots —birds fly with snowflakesFrozen red aster -now a playground and shelterfor two cold squirrelsDeep beneath snowpacka lily seed rests in soil -an expectant bloom......
After the Storm
December 20th, 2024
How much snow did you get yesterday?As adults, we see every inch for the work it'll take to clear off of our sidewalks, driveways, and roads. We know that slippery roads lead to slow commutes and accidents. We think of all the lost productivity from co-workers who run late or need to leave early to pick up kids when the schools close. We see each falling degree of temperature as another dollar to ...
Necessary Repairs
December 19th, 2024
Today, as I write this, I spent half an hour working on the bathroom door knob. The spring had grown weaker over the last few months and it finally gave up latching at all. Now we’re interrupted in our morning routine by an inquisitive dog. Knowing that family and friends will be visiting for Christmas, I knew that I had to fix the latch for them.Do you have necessary repairs at your home? It’s ea...
The Little Things
December 18th, 2024
What makes a gift that you receive valuable? It could be solely the purchase price, though most people will also factor in other factors. The effort it took to find the gift. Something that has been handmade gains value from the effort that went into its construction. The usefulness of the gift can increase its perceived value.There is a lot of thought that goes into the costs of gifts. It could b...
Heartset
December 17th, 2024
People often talk about their mindset, which is their default mental attitude or mental response to something. We talk about having a good mindset or one that holds you back. People try to change their mindset to be more adaptable to situations. Building mental flexibility is great, but I also think we should consider our heartset.Rather than mental, this is a default emotional attitude towards li...
Snowflake Moments
December 16th, 2024
It’s a common saying that no two snowflakes are exactly the same. Math and science say that this is true for complex snowflakes, even though around a septillion of them fall each year. Though large patterns repeat, there are microscopic or even molecular differences in each flake.The same can be said for moments in our lives. Yesterday was our annual Service of Lessons & Carols, during which there...
Sing and Rejoice
December 15th, 2024
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever.- Psalm 89:1aAdvent is a preparation for Christmas. The celebration and rejoicing are especially obvious this morning at our Service of Lessons & Carols. Through the season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus by singing joyful songs, eating delicious food, and enjoying the company of our friends and family. It can be easy to forget that Jesus was se...