Advent

At the Open Door, we often worship in rather nontraditional, artistic ways. At least once a month, we set up prayer stations around the room. Pausing the activity at the front of the room, we spread into the room’s five corners and pray and worship through artistic, often kinesthetic means.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and it is also an evening of prayer stations. One of the stations will invite the breath to worship, celebrating Emmanuel—God-with-us.


On a sloping wooden floor, dark blue sitting pillows are arranged in a circle around a tall purple candle. Come, sit. Pick up a half-sheet of paper, lying on the floor in front of you:

Advent is a time of waiting and expectant hope. Jesus is coming. In celebrating Jesus’s birth, we also celebrate His promise to return.

Advent is not only waiting, but also knowing that the Lord is near (Phil 4:4). Through His birth, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). Another translation more concretely reads that Jesus came and pitched his tent among us.

While watching the candle, or with your eyes closed, focus on this image—Jesus pitching his tent, his dwelling, here in Pittsburgh. In East Liberty, Highland Park, your neighborhood, your living room, your heart.

Choose one of His names, using it as a breath-prayer. Inhale-exhale the syllables for at least ten long, deep breaths. The following names are suggestions—please use another name or breath-prayer if you prefer.

je-sus
e-man-u-el (God with us, Hebrew)
ado-nai (Lord, Hebrew)
ru-ach (Life-breath / Spirit, Hebrew)
pneu-ma (Spirit, Greek)
thee-os (God, Greek)
di-os (God, Spanish)