My Disruptive Advent Playlist

Waiting. Coming. Advent. Ushering In. Welcome.

The anticipation of something new, something hopeful. Maybe.

I have spent most of my Decembers deeply weaving the threads of my evolving faith with my people…my church people, my school people, my neighbour people, my wine ladies, my work people, the kids who call me auntie, the family that calls me sister and daughter and mom and the one who calls me wife.

I have Luke 2 memorized not because I was meant to or was required to in order to be a good Baptist, but because this the holy and strange story has imprinted on my soul. The mystery, the pain, the loneliness, the sliver of light when all seemed so dark. I am still so confounded and so comforted by incarnation.

Divinity wrapped in clean rags.

So many good people in the world are contributing their words and talks on Advent this year. All of us grappling with making sense of presence of the immigrant Jesus born into poverty by a teenage girl in the Middle East, sent here to save us from ourselves when this year, for so many, we have experienced such profound loss.

Sunday night I was overwhelmed with conviction to participate in advent as a practice of moving towards light as the light persistently continues to move towards me, even when I want to stay in the shadows.

But not with words. TOO. MANY. WORDS. LATELY. As a writer I am surrounded with words day and night, grammerly, scrivener, thesaurus, transition words, syntax, agreement, flow, clarity. Ugh. And as a teacher the sound of my own voice becomes irritating even to me by the end of the day. Gah!

Music. Art. Design. Play. Poetry. Photography. Nature.

I have been longing for all of me to feel fully engaged again. I have missed music. And images not filtered on Instagram featuring someone’s coffee or sourdough bread (don’t get me wrong, I love coffee and sourdough bread.) Last month we went to the Museum of Anthropology in the city - how I missed immersive learning in a marvellously designed building filled with fascinating stories and colourful, layered artefacts.

So this week I am losing myself in music. Music I love. Music I am hearing for the first time. Music that reflects my present advent longings. Sounds, songs, whispers, instruments, metal.

And I thought you might want to join me or share your own advent journey these next couple of weeks. I would love to hear what’s in your heart and mind and soul.

And together, we can maybe reconnect with our humanity and recognize that the One whose cry broke through that silent night some 2,000 years ago might not be so far away from you and I.

This week - Brenda’s Disruptive Advent Playlist

Here’s what’s I’m listening to…and it’s not Christmas Shoes. I have created a link in Spotify and I may be adding to the list throughout the month. FYI - I’m going to use some WORDS here for a couple of these songs because the lyrics are everything.

Spotify Link is here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68X7i4RRhNQpD2v0qMsiMR?si=7MJ6jZDOQ7mWEN3owGQBJA

Flesh and Bones - Buddy Guy with Van Morrison

Daddy read the good book, Through and through
Said the lord's work, Is the only truth
It ain't over the day you die
You'll live on, In the sweet bye and bye

This life is more than Flesh and bone
Turn back now before you're gone, When you go your spirit lives on
This life is more than Flesh and bone

Now I know my daddy was right, I read that good book
And I've seen the light
Mama and daddy have passed and gone, They're still with me 'cause
Love lives on

Let it Be - The Beatles
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

You Want it Darker - Leonard Cohen
Just to go listen to this with your headphones on.

Dreaming - Arelius
This piece is like a deep exhale.

Carry You Home - Tiesto Ft. StarGate & Aloe Blacc
Smooth, smooth. I could listen to Aloe Blacc all day and night.

I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free - Nina Simone
Miss Simone burrows her haunting voice and her raw convictions deep into my very bones.

Light Shine Bright - Toby Mac & Hollyn
This song is fun. I share it in one of my leadership classes each semester.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow/ What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwi’ole
Play on repeat, repeat, repeat. He makes me feel like everything really will be okay.

Keep showing up,
Love & light, B XO