Note from Pastor Jana This Advent, our congregation is entering the season with Sanctified Art’s theme “What Do You Fear?” It’s not a question we usually associate with Christmas lights, familiar carols, or the cozy glow of the manger. And yet, the world Christ entered was full of real fear and uncertainty—and so is ours. The Sanctified Art team reflected on the way hope and fear so often live side by side in our lives, a vivid image came to their mind: hands gently cupped around candles at a vigil. At a vigil, fear is often present—settling over us like a heavy fog. The candle we hold can feel small and fragile, its flame easily blown out. And yet, something holy happens when we turn to our neighbor and share the light. The glow multiplies. Warmth gathers. The darkness doesn’t disappear, but the light becomes even more visible against it. In these vigil moments, fear and grief mingle with gratitude and hope. In these spaces, courage grows. Unity takes shape. And we remember that God is near. This is my prayer for our Advent journey this year: that the season will help us name our fears honestly, hold our hopes tenderly, and trust that the God who comes to us in Christ is already illuminating the way forward. Another image used for this series is the image of a lantern. Lanterns help us take the next step when the path ahead is dim. They steady our hands as we walk into the unknown. In the series logo, the lantern’s swirling flame feels alive—like the Holy Spirit at work, like a hope that refuses to stay contained. The light spills outward into the guiding question for the season: “What do you fear?” So this Advent, we light candles. We lift lanterns. We ask brave questions. We lean toward the light—trusting that even in seasons of fear, God draws near. May this be a time when we see both the shadows we carry and the hope that flickers within us. May we discover together that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. In Christ, Pastor Jana
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