Advent often blows past me in such a blur that I don't have much time to think about this season in the church calendar. Not so this year, thanks to four little films I'm making.

One frame from the film, Waiting.

Our local congregation, Grace Evangelical Covenant Church, is deeply receptive to the power of the arts in our worship. We have not only three top-notch bands that bring us their musical gifts (and draw out the rest of us in song), but we've had everyone from painters and dancers to graphic artists and, yes, drummer boys (little and big) bring their riches to offer the Lord. I've often played in a band, and last year contributed the graphic design for our Advent bulletin cover. This month, I get to participate in a new way.

I was asked to produce four short animated films to lead the congregation into reflection about four words we're exploring during Advent, one word each week in turn: waiting, longing, hoping, and birth. I've been delighted to play with an old toy (namely, Microsoft PowerPoint) in some new ways, using it as a writing tool and then milking it for the text-animation effects I need to support the script.

As of today, I've finished and shown two of the films, and I'm very conscious of the two ones remaining. In fact, that's the point of this story: needing to make these films has focused my heart and mind on mulling over the long process of Advent in a way I haven't ever before. Though Saturday night — if not Sunday morning — often finds me rushing to finish, it's the slow process of meditation and word-play throughout the week that I'm enjoying most. Advent is supposed to feel like a long time of waiting, and not since I was kid waiting for some special, anticipated present have I felt it move so slowly. I like it.

By the way, I wish I could share the films right here with you, but technical barriers prevent that. If you can, I hope you might catch one of them in person at Grace.

first published Dec 6, 2004