Visual Devotions: Crafting Meaningful Moments in Advent

As a child, I always looked forward to the Advent season, those four weeks of anticipation leading up to Christmas. However, it wasn’t until my late 20s that I discovered the profound impact of incorporating art into my spiritual practice.

My journey with Advent art began unexpectedly when a friend invited me to an “Advent Art Night” at her church. Skeptical at first, I found myself deeply moved by the experience of creating a simple painting of an Advent wreath. The meditative act of applying brushstrokes while reflecting on the theme of hope showed me the value of creating a tangible piece of my faith through art.

Since then, I’ve made it a tradition to engage in at least one Advent art project each year, finding that the creative process helps me connect more deeply with the season’s themes and prepare my heart for Christmas in a unique and meaningful way.

By incorporating visual art into Advent devotions, individuals and communities can deepen their understanding of the season’s themes and enhance their overall experience. Here are some examples of project ideas themed around each week of the season.

Hope

Advent wreath painting: Create a watercolor or acrylic painting of an Advent wreath, focusing on the first candle representing hope. Use warm colors to symbolize the light of hope in the darkness. Check out these Advent wreath photos for inspiration.
Hope jar: Decorate a glass jar and fill it with small slips of paper containing Bible verses about hope. Draw one each day for reflection. Check out this video for more ideas.
Prophetic landscape: Paint or draw a landscape inspired by Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah’s coming, incorporating symbols of hope and renewal. Check out these ideas for this project.

Peace

Peace dove collage: Create a collage of a dove using torn paper from magazines or newspapers. Include words and phrases related to peace found in Advent Scriptures. Searching for these phrases will give you time to reflect on the overall Scripture and help you meditate on these topics!
Jesse Tree with peaceful imagery: Adapt the traditional Jesse Tree project by focusing on images and symbols of peace. Use prints or paintings of biblical scenes, such as the Annunciation, the Nativity, or the Prodigal Son’s return, and add quotes or verses related to peace.
Paper plate peace doves: Create paper plate doves with outstretched wings, symbolizing peace and hope. Hang the doves in a window or on a wall as a reminder of peace.

Joy

Joyful nativity scene: Craft a mixed-media nativity scene using materials like fabric, paper, and found objects. Focus on expressing the joy of Christ’s birth through vibrant colors and dynamic compositions.
Joy explosion: Create an abstract painting or drawing that visually represents an “explosion” of joy, using bright colors and energetic brush strokes or lines.
Joyful song lyrics art: Choose lyrics from your favorite Christmas carol about joy and create typographic art featuring those words in creative fonts and colors.

Love

Heart-shaped Advent calendar: Design a heart-shaped Advent calendar using cardboard or foam board. Create 24 small pockets or doors, each containing a Scripture verse about God’s love or a small act of kindness to perform.
Love mosaic: Create a mosaic using small pieces of colored paper, glass, or tile to form an image symbolizing God’s love, such as a heart or a cross.
Love letter art: Write letters to friends or family members expressing love and gratitude, then decorate the envelopes with artistic designs before mailing them out.

Advent Devotions

To fully integrate art into your Advent experience, consider these approaches:

Daily reflection: Spend time creating or reflecting on a piece of Advent-themed art. Use this time for prayer and meditation on the day’s Scriptures. Click for more Advent Devotional Resources.
Family art time: Set aside time each week for family members to create Advent art together. Discuss the themes and scriptures as you work. Here are some additional ideas for Catholic Advent Crafts.
Community art project: Organize a community-wide Advent project, like a collaborative mural or installation piece that grows throughout the season. Check out these resources to get you started.
Art-based worship: Incorporate visual art into church services or small group gatherings. Use projected images, live art demonstrations, or displays of congregant-created artwork to enhance worship experiences. The Art of Advent has great seasonal prints and devotions for inspiration.

Creating visual devotions for Advent can significantly enrich the season’s spiritual experience. By engaging in art projects that reflect Advent themes, individuals and communities can deepen their connection to the story of Christ’s coming and prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christmas. As you engage with Advent art, remember that the goal is not perfection but rather a heartfelt expression of faith and anticipation of the coming of Christ.