“Big Bang” Advent Resources: A Few of My Favorite Things

The Atlantic’s 15th annual Space Telescope Advent Calendar. Every day until Sun., Dec. 25, the page presents an amazing image of the universe from the Hubble telescope.this year featuring images from both NASA’s Hubble telescope and the brand-new and poorly named James Webb Space Telescope. From the linked NPR article: "At best, Webb's record is complicated," says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a cosmologist at the University of New Hampshire who co-authored an article calling for the telescope to be renamed. "And at worst, we're basically just sending this incredible instrument into the sky with the name of a homophobe on it, in my opinion.”

Black Liturgies, created by author and spiritual teacher Cole Arthur Riley, is offering weekly Advent reflections and journaling/ meditation questions through Patreon. From Black Liturgies: “Advent is a season where we think about a God who dwelled in the sacred Blackness of a womb before being born into the world at Christmas. It’s a season where we are given space to name our deepest longings, to name the quiet ache that each of us experiences for belonging, healing, and liberation. And we look in hope toward a promise. 

…. Whether you observe Advent yearly or never have, there is space for you. Together, we reclaim a sacred darkness. We wait, but not alone.”

DignityUSA is offering an Advent Reflection Series, which will include an advent-themed reflection on the week's readings, followed by group discussion. Wednesdays, November 30-December 21, from 8pm - 9pm ET. The reflection series is free, but registration is required.

“DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support.”

DIY Advent Calendar: we invite you to let your gifts shine by creating your own Advent or other time-keeping calendar with this easy-to-use template.

“Big Bang” Advent Soothing & Healing, Good-for-the-Brain, Good-for-the-Heart, Good-for-the-Gut, Good-for-the-Soul, Turmeric and Cacao Recipe

Cleansing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, promoting healthy digestion, tastes good too!

• 1 Tbsp. organic ground turmeric

• 1 Tbsp organic cacao powder

• 1/2 tsp. organic ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp. organic ground ginger

• Pinch organic cayenne pepper

• Pinch sea salt and organic ground black pepper

• Pinch organic ground cardamom

Combine spices. Add to ½ cup warm coconut milk and ½ cup boiling water. You can add a dash of coconut oil. Stir. Adjust to taste.

Shuumi Land Tax

This season, as a non-Indigenous person living on the Confederated Villages of Lisbon’s territory, I am contributing a voluntary Shuumi Land Tax in support of the work of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust. If you are non-indigenous and live in Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, San Leandro, Alameda, Piedmont, Hayward, Union City, Fremont, Pleasanton, Castro Valley, Pinole, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, El Sobrante, Kensington, Danville, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Benicia or Vallejo, I encourage you to pay your Shuumi Land Tax. If you live elsewhere, please consider participating in something, or launching something, similar in your area.

A Laudato Si’ Advent Retreat: “In this Advent retreat we will be bringing special attention to how we share this path of preparation in communion with Creation, who also eagerly awaits for redemption (cf. Rm 8:19-23). We will be guided by the words of Pope Francis and the encyclical Laudato Si’, his special letter to us all about the call to care for our common home. 

Each week you will be invited to reflect on a specific theme through a short video from The Letter – a documentary with Pope Francis about the Laudato Si’, a short reflection on that theme and a prayer. Each week you will also be invited to a call to action, a concrete way to prepare for Christmas more sustainably.”