Welcome to Season 7 of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast with Tara Lamont Eastman. This Advent-themed episode explores the intersection of faith and art through storytelling, reflections on hope and peace, and poetry. Tara shares a personal story from the AKG Art Museum and introduces the concept of theopoetics—speaking about the divine through the arts. Dive into the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love as we journey through Advent. Featuring insights from theologians Shelly Rambo and Heather Walton, and a poignant poem by Morgan Harper Nichols, this episode invites listeners to pause amid the holiday rush and reflect on the sacredness in everyday life.

Show notes:

The painting referenced in this episode is Mäntykoski Waterfall’, by Finnish Artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

Thanks to musician and poet Morgan Harper Nichols for her permission to share her poem, Dark Purple.

Gratitude to Theopoets - Professors Shelly Rambo and Heather Walton for their theological resources. 

Advent readings:

HOPE
Light one candle to watch for Messiah.
One little flame illuminates the darkness.
Little flame, even from a distance, you offer
Warmth and welcome, even in our wandering.
We set out in HOPE, that God fulfills the promise…
 
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." Isaiah 2:3

PEACE
Light two candles to watch for Messiah.
Two flames shine and give light to help us:
see, navigate, and travel safely on our Advent journey.
We carry PEACE with us, to gently be led homeward.

“The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:2

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America). She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.