Many years ago, I was so honored to lead my first Advent Event, sometimes called Advent Workshop. I was very much inspired by Barbara Schutz, who had put together a marvelous Advent Event, probably about 1999. The Advent Event Barbara led was for SERVICE to others, and I thought, THAT’S IT! That’s exactly what Advent is for. We listen for God’s voice, which tells us to prepare our hearts for the Christ Child by doing service for others. In subsequent years, we did a lot of wonderful service projects in Advent Event. So many of us have wonderful memories of those events and of the good that we did. It’s the best part of the Christmas season! So, this year I was again thrilled to be asked to lead Advent Event, with the help of Betsy Appleton and Henri Atkinson of our wonderful Learning Ministry Team, as well as many others.
We had a fantastic time at Advent Event 2023! It was lots of fun!
We produced: Fifty bags of supplies for the houseless, 10 bags of homemade cookies for our homebound elders, many home Advent Calendars to inspire other service projects, and many beautiful Advent wreaths were made too. So many thanks are due to the Learning Ministry committee and everyone who helped, everyone who participated, everyone who brought treats, everyone who set up and cleaned up …
And the Diaper Drive! We prepared all of our hearts to be open and warm for the Christ Child, by generously donating diapers, wipes, and period supplies, in a wonderfully HUGE truckful for the Austin Diaper Bank! What a lovely thing!
The long-ago helpless infant Jesus is manifest in those living among us who need our help, especially new parents and babies who benefit from our donations, as well as students in need of period supplies. “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25:40)” It’s so incredible to think that, in doing this, we are doing it for the baby Jesus!
Here’s what the Austin Diaper Bank wrote to all of us:
Thank you for your generous donation and for being part of our community of supporters and friends here at the Austin Diaper Bank.
We are thrilled to have your support to help families in Central Texas with diapers, wipes and period supplies.
Please let us know if we can answer any questions about our mission or if you would like to come in for a tour of our warehouse.
Your donation will help more than 35,000 babies and children with diapers and wipes, and more than 7,500 students with period supplies in our community.
We did so much good! We are shining the light of Christ to the world, in our work! Our hearts are ready for the Christ Child to come in. A blessed Advent and Merry Christmas to us all!
Anne Wiebe