A 60-Second Year

So now the year of “Daily Crosses” is complete.  Looking back on all the crosses that I found—in nature, on buildings, and in so many mundane places—I have this new sense of Christ being everywhere.  It’s a great feeling.

 

I also love how this project engaged my friends and acquaintances from all over the world who commented on my daily Facebook postings and even contributed photos themselves.  If you’re one of those people, thanks for participating.

 

Here is a video that shows all 366 crosses in one minute.  I hope you enjoy it.  I am also making a book for those of you who want to look at all the photographs at a more leisurely pace.  Let me know if you’d like a copy!

Lit

In the winter months, I long for light. This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder—which has a very apt acronym: SAD.

This is why December is the perfect time to reflect on Advent, which is when we look forward to the incarnation of Christ, our Light. We decorate our homes with countless lights in an effort to make the darkness bearable. But every little dot of light is really an expression of our hope for the true Light of the World.

We look back 2000 years to when Jesus came from heaven to earth, which we remember by celebrating Christmas. But that is not the end of the story. Jesus then made a way for us. He taught us the truth and showed us what the perfect light of love is like. He died on the cross to redeem us from our own darkness. And now Jesus lives in us. His light is being multiplied as we become countless dots of light in the world.

We also have the hope that there will be a time when there will be no darkness anymore, not even a shadow. In the New Jerusalem, the presence of Jesus will be brilliant and eternal. No more SAD! Maranatha!

Currently I have an exhibit at The Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, NJ. It is called “Lit.” I am showing light painting photographs. This video premiered at the opening:

http://youtu.be/Rd-vIhWCcbI

Seeing the Cross

At first, my “Daily Cross” project felt merely playful to me. It was fun to bring my camera with me everywhere and search for hidden crosses. I started in my backyard and on walks with my dog. Then I took some photographs on my trips to South Jersey and New York City. It was always surprising where I found them. And there were so many crosses everywhere! Soon my everyday life began to feel like one continuous game of “Where’s Waldo!”

But, in searching for crosses all the time, another aspect of the project began to emerge. I began to think more often and more tangibly about the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The project constantly reminds me that Jesus acted physically in the material world to grant us His life. He carried His Cross through the sweltering streets of Jerusalem. He felt real, soul-wrenching pain as He was nailed to and hung on the Cross. He suffered – and He died a horrific death. He did this for the joy that was set before Him: His creation brought to the fullness of its intended good. That's us.

Everywhere I look now, I see reminders of this great life-giving love, this beautiful divine mystery. And tomorrow I will be reminded again.