Introduction: What We’re Creating Together

This Advent, our congregations will create a set of community-made “stained glass” artworks to hang in the large windows in the link. Each piece will reflect one of the four themes traditionally represented by the Advent candles—Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love—all pointing toward the coming of Christ. 

These will not be true stained glass, but hand-drawn images that we will scan and print on transparency film, then mount with black borders to mimic the look of stained glass. When the light shines through them in the large windows found in the link, the colours will glow like traditional glass. 

This project is meant to be creative, prayerful, and personal. The chosen Scripture passages (primarily from the birth narratives in Luke and Matthew, with echoes from Isaiah) can serve as inspiration—but so can your own experiences and metaphors. 

A quick story to set the tone…

In a Sunday School group last weekend, a little girl drew a picture of a throne to represent hope. She explained that knowing God who sits on the throne is good gave her hope. I misheard her and thought she said “drone” and wondered how on earth a drone symbolized hope! But another child immediately spoke up: he had just learned that drones were being used to deliver life-saving medicines across remote parts of Africa. To him, a drone did represent hope. 

Both images—throne and drone—were sincere, thoughtful, and deeply meaningful.

This is the spirit of the project: Scripture, imagination, and lived experience coming together. This is what we're hoping to get for the project, and hopefully this flight of imagination is something you will get out of the project, as you re-imagine, advent on your own terms and using your own symbols. 

What We’re Asking You to Create

Format

• Your art should be created inside an 8–8.5 inch circle (templates included in the kit).

• Use coloured pencils, pencil crayons, markers, or paint.

• Images should be simple and bold, using:

• Thick, dark outlines (to mimic the lead in stained glass)

• Clear, uncomplicated shapes

• Strong blocks of colour

• Color in the whole circle, and remember that white will translate as clear      

A strong recommendation would be to keep the shape, simple, and try not to fit too much metaphor in one image. Of course, feel free to do more complex ones, however, keep in mind that they will be viewed from a bit of a distance when outside, so smaller more detailed images will be lost. 

Content

• Let the Scripture readings for each week inspire your piece. However, you can feel free to incorporate your own scripture readings that you feel fit the different themes. Mine are just meant as suggestions and spring boards.

• You may incorporate:

• Biblical imagery

• Contemporary metaphors

• Personal symbols of Hope, Joy, Peace, or Love

• Again, avoid tiny details; think in the clean shapes of a stained-glass window 

Process Options

1.          Take-Home Kit

• Includes circle templates, Scripture readings for each theme, and instructions.

• Complete at home at your own pace.

2.          Open Studio Sessions

• December 8 and December 15, 3–7 pm at the McDougall United Art Studio.

• Drop in anytime

• Ask questions, make your piece, or help with the larger mural project happening simultaneously.

Deadline

• Please return artwork in time for scanning by December 18 at the latest. December 21, is when the church windows will be transformed. 

Scripture Readings & Thematic Synopses

Below are the short readings for each Advent theme and a brief explanation of how they connect to Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. Again, these are just meant as something to work from if you're struggling with ideas. 

WEEK 1 — HOPE

Readings:

• Luke 1:5–13 – The angel announces to Zechariah that Elizabeth will bear a son.

• Luke 1:18–20 – Zechariah struggles to believe.

• Luke 1:24–25 – Elizabeth rejoices in God’s mercy.

Theme Synopsis – HOPE
Hope is born in places where things seemed impossible: a barren couple, long-waiting, suddenly hearing, “Do not be afraid.” Throughout Scripture the opposite of hope is not sorrow, but fear—from fear of change, to fear that nothing will change, and even to fears that God has forgotten. The theme of Hope reminds us that God’s light can break into even the most silent seasons. Symbols might include: seeds, dawn breaking, a chain snapping, an open door, or any image that says, “Fear does not have the last word.” Again, let your imagination run wild, and also this is good discussions to have with Rev. Cox if you attend the open studio sessions on December 8th and 15. 

Readings:

• Luke 1:26–33 – The angel greets Mary with astonishing news.

• Luke 1:38 – Mary responds, “Let it be with me according to your word.”

• Luke 1:46–49 – Mary’s Magnificat begins: “My soul magnifies the Lord….”

Theme Synopsis – JOY
Joy is not shallow cheerfulness; it is the deep, steady gladness that rises when we recognize God is at work. Mary’s song springs from trust, courage, and wonder. Joy may come quietly or as an overwhelming shout. Visual symbols might include: singing birds, dancing figures, blooming flowers, a bursting star, or Mary’s own posture of praise. Again, let your imagination run wild, and also this is good discussions to have with Rev. Cox if you attend the open studio sessions on December 8th and 15. 

WEEK 3 — PEACE

Readings:

• Luke 1:76–79 – Zechariah prophesies that his son will guide people “into the way of peace.”

• Luke 2:8–14 – Angels proclaim “peace on earth” to the shepherds.

Theme Synopsis – PEACE
Peace in Scripture is more than calm; it is shalom—wholeness, safety, right relationship. The angels’ message interrupts a night of ordinary work: suddenly heaven declares that God’s peace is breaking open on earth. Peace can be symbolized by: a dove, a path or road, hands reaching across a divide, a lantern in the dark, stars over resting sheep, or anything that expresses calm restored. Again, let your imagination run wild, and also this is good discussions to have with Rev. Cox if you attend the open studio sessions on December 8th and 15. 

WEEK 4 — LOVE

Readings:

• Luke 2:15–20 – The shepherds find the baby and share what they’ve heard.

• Matthew 1:22–23 – “They shall call him Emmanuel, which means God with us.”

• Matthew 2:1–11 – The Magi follow the star and offer their gifts.

Theme Synopsis – LOVE
Love is revealed in God’s choice to be “with us”—not distant, but present in the vulnerability of a child. Shepherds, angels, and foreign magi are all drawn toward Jesus; love gathers people who might never have met. Symbols might include: the manger, a guiding star, open hands, intertwined circles, a heart wrapped in light, or any image that speaks of welcome and belonging. The welcoming of the stranger, and those who are often marginalized in our culture. Again, let your imagination run wild, and also this is good discussions to have with Rev. Cox if you attend the open studio sessions on December 8th and 15.

Final Notes

You are warmly encouraged to explore the readings, reflect, pray, imagine, and express what these Advent themes mean to you. Whether your image looks traditional or contemporary, whether it uses biblical symbols or personal metaphors, it becomes part of our shared celebration. And the tapestry of images that will make up a larger project.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Rev. Cox via email—or drop by during the open studio times on December 8 and 15.