Advent is the season of waiting — a sacred pause that invites us to prepare our minds and hearts for the coming of Christ. It is a time of longing, where we reckon with the tension between what is and what is to come. Yet Advent is also a season of encounter. It beckons us to orient ourselves toward the God who enters into our waiting and transforms it with his presence.
For me, art has always been an indispensable companion during Advent. Through stories, songs, and visual art, I have found reflections of the divine that help me lean more deeply into this sacred season. These pieces of art and story offer language for our longing and expand our imagination for the mystery of Christ’s coming.
Here are some of the companions I return to each Advent — works of literature, poetry, music, and visual art that illuminate the beauty, hope, and mystery of the season.
Advent stories
“Advent with Evelyn Underhill” compiled and edited by Christopher Webber
Underhill’s writings, rich in their contemplative depth, guide us into the heart of Advent as a time of inward preparation. Her reflections balance reverence with an invitation to trust in God’s nearness, offering daily meditations that anchor us in this season’s profound mystery.
“The Coming” by R.S. Thomas
Thomas’s poem paints a stark and moving picture of Christ’s coming into the world. His words remind us of the raw, earthy reality of the Incarnation — the collision of divine glory with human suffering. It’s a piece that leaves you both awed and unsettled, capturing the paradox of Advent’s beauty.
“The Awakening of Miss Prim” by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera
This charming novel weaves a story of intellectual and spiritual transformation. Miss Prim, a woman steeped in logic and self-sufficiency, encounters a community that lives counter to the world’s hustle and noise. This book invites us to embrace Advent’s quiet rhythms and to find beauty in simplicity and surrender.
“Annunciation” by Denise Levertov
Levertov’s poem meditates on Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, dwelling on the courage to say yes to God’s call. Her words invite us to consider our own openness to divine interruptions, especially in seasons of waiting and uncertainty.
Advent songs
Joel Clarkson’s “Midwinter Carols”
This instrumental collection of Advent and Christmas carols is a meditative journey through the quiet hope of the season. Clarkson’s arrangements are tender and reflective, perfect for moments of prayer or contemplation as the days grow darker.
Handel’s “Messiah”
Few works capture the grandeur of Advent’s hope like Handel’s “Messiah.” Its sweeping movements, drawn from Scripture, remind us of God’s redemptive plan unfolding through history. The resounding “Hallelujah Chorus” feels like a foretaste of the joy to come.
“Behold the Lamb of God” by Andrew Peterson
Peterson’s album narrates the story of redemption, from the Old Testament promises to the birth of Christ. Its folk-inspired melodies and heartfelt lyrics remind us of the thread of grace that weaves through Scripture and Advent’s waiting.
Visual art for Advent
“The Annunciation” (1898) by Henry Ossawa Tanner
Tanner’s depiction of the Annunciation is breathtaking in its simplicity and intimacy. The angel’s ethereal glow contrasts with Mary’s grounded, human response, capturing her quiet strength and the weight of her yes.
“Babette’s Feast” (1987)
This film is a visual meditation on grace and abundance. Babette’s extravagant feast, prepared as an act of love, transforms the austere lives of those who partake. The film mirrors the Eucharistic themes of Advent, reminding us of the generosity of God’s presence.
“Mary and Eve” by Sister Grace Remington
This striking piece portrays Eve, burdened with shame, being comforted by Mary, whose child will bring redemption. The artwork draws us into the sweeping narrative of salvation history, where Advent stands as a bridge between despair and hope.
Entering in with Advent art and stories
Advent teaches us to wait well — to embrace longing not as emptiness but as a sign of the hope that is already ours in Christ. These companions of Advent art and stories invite us to dwell richly in this waiting, reminding us that beauty and truth are gifts God offers us even now.
As you move through Advent, may these works of art help you prepare room in your heart for the mystery of the Incarnation. May they be for you, as they have been for me, a guide to encountering God in the waiting, and a reminder of the joy that is to come.