--- title: "Images of Hope: Advent in Art" description: In the Christian tradition, the season of Advent urges us to look for Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, and we’d like to open a space for you to share photos that speak to you in those ways. image: https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hubfs/ImagesOfHope_Advent_SherylSchwyhart.jpg --- [![The Canvas Logo_Final1.png](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Canvas%20Logo_Final1.png?width=1779&name=The%20Canvas%20Logo_Final1.png "The Canvas Logo_Final1.png")](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas) - [Theology](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/theology) - [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/activism) - [Arts](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/arts) - [Formation](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/formation) - [Voice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/voice) - [Theology of Prince](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/theology-of-prince) ![original-5](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hubfs/Images/social-suggested-images/original-5.jpg "original-5") ### Subscribe to The Canvas ### Subscribe to The Canvas ## Featured Post   [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/rev-dr-carolyn-pressler)   Feb 25, 2026 ## [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler Reflects on Women’s History Month](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) Dear Friends of United, [immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [Feminism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/feminism) [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [ICE in Twin Cities](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/ice-in-twin-cities) [Read More](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) ## Recent Posts [Arts](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/arts) [Alums](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/alums) [students](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/students) [theology and the arts](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/theology-and-the-arts) [Staff](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/staff) [Photography](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/photography) [Advent](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/advent) [Faculty](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/faculty) # Images of Hope: Advent in Art By [Sheryl Schwyhart (’20)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/sheryl-schwyhart)11, Dec 2025 Art has the tremendous power to restore us in a time when our world seems to make no sense and we need a moment of respite and encouragement from our daily struggles. A single photograph of a flower or a laughing child can buoy our spirit to carry on. In the Christian tradition, the season of Advent urges us to look for Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, and we’d like to open a space for you to share photos that speak to you in those ways. Add Your Image of Hope Throughout Advent, we will be publishing submissions received from United students, alums, faculty, and staff. There's still time to add yours! To submit your image, [click here.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeU3a-Eci2nRvlzRTi8IQIDs7ox3qI1O-NI-4Fdf8J0W6JKtg/viewform?usp=header) *Pieces are published in the order in which they are received. Last updated: January 5, 2026.* ![6528470811733732734 - Ryan Currens](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/6528470811733732734%20-%20Ryan%20Currens.jpeg?width=2047&height=1561&name=6528470811733732734%20-%20Ryan%20Currens.jpeg) "Feed for the winter." by Ryan Currens (student, Institutional Major Gifts Officer) *This picture from our family farm in Iowa of fall fields reminds me of the hope for plenty during the winter months to come.* *![Erik Geranium - Cindi Beth Johnson](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Erik%20Geranium%20-%20Cindi%20Beth%20Johnson.jpeg?width=3024&height=4032&name=Erik%20Geranium%20-%20Cindi%20Beth%20Johnson.jpeg)* "Enduring Hope" by Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson (Vice President for Advancement) *My nephew Erik took this photo in the late days of fall. The remaining beautiful red blossom, still holding court, is for me a sign of hope and determination.* *![childrens creation - April Knight](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/childrens%20creation%20-%20April%20Knight.jpeg?width=4032&height=3024&name=childrens%20creation%20-%20April%20Knight.jpeg)* "Children's Creation" by April Knight (student) *When I was growing up in church—a church I loved—children's art would have never been allowed front and center displayed as Peace Church in Duluth celebrates children! This is the "Hope" of my Advent season this year.* *![oringial - Michael Coyne](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/oringial%20-%20Michael%20Coyne.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=oringial%20-%20Michael%20Coyne.jpeg)* "puddle no filter" by Mike Coyne (student) *Neither the limits nor the beauty of a physical form can negate its essence, or capture its true nature.* *![1000002394 - Tami Glasbrenner](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/1000002394%20-%20Tami%20Glasbrenner.jpg?width=421&height=913&name=1000002394%20-%20Tami%20Glasbrenner.jpg)* "Waterfall Cross" by Tami Glasbrenner (Accountant) *Photo taken while hiking Hocking Hills Ohio State Park.* *![IMG_6332 - Sheryl Schwyhart](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_6332%20-%20Sheryl%20Schwyhart.jpeg?width=4032&height=3024&name=IMG_6332%20-%20Sheryl%20Schwyhart.jpeg)* "Tiny Tracks" by Sheryl Schwyhart (’20) ![IMG_0005 - Babs Allen](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0005%20-%20Babs%20Allen.jpeg?width=5712&height=4284&name=IMG_0005%20-%20Babs%20Allen.jpeg) "Chapel in the Trees" by Babs Allen (student) *Sign as you enter into the Chapel in the Trees in Funk’s Grove, IL.* *![IMG_9902 - Cindi Beth Johnson](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_9902%20-%20Cindi%20Beth%20Johnson.jpg?width=640&height=480&name=IMG_9902%20-%20Cindi%20Beth%20Johnson.jpg)* "Annunciation (by Julia Barkley)" by Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson (Vice President for Advancement) *During chapel, we were in a circle, and I realized I was facing *The Annunciation*. A reminder of hope in the Christian tradition.* *![IMG_5369 - Ryan Currens](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5369%20-%20Ryan%20Currens.jpeg?width=5712&height=4284&name=IMG_5369%20-%20Ryan%20Currens.jpeg)* "The United Chapel during Advent" by Ryan Currens (student, Institutional Major Gifts Officer) *I took this picture during the second week of Advent after the final chapel for this semester.* *![IMG_3244 - Dale Dobias](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_3244%20-%20Dale%20Dobias.jpeg?width=1361&height=1347&name=IMG_3244%20-%20Dale%20Dobias.jpeg)* "Sunrise Over Grand Meadow, Minnesota " by Dale Dobias (’89) *3x3 inches, found papers on canvas board*   *![Sixth of Sunwait - 2025 - Brian Weis](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Sixth%20of%20Sunwait%20-%202025%20-%20Brian%20Weis.png?width=940&height=788&name=Sixth%20of%20Sunwait%20-%202025%20-%20Brian%20Weis.png)* "Sixth of Sunwait, Welcome Solstice" by Brian Weis (’24) *Photo collage: Altar with Sunwait candelabra. Candles for the first six runes are lit. Additional candles, goddess statues, festive greens, etc. are also present.* ### [Sheryl Schwyhart (’20)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/sheryl-schwyhart) Sheryl (’20) graduated with a Master of Arts in Leadership in Theology and Arts. ## Your Comments : Previous Post ##### [Alex Sánchez Rodriguez Finds Vocational Inspiration at United](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/alex-sánchez-rodriguez-finds-vocational-inspiration-at-united) Next Post ##### [Lauren Busey (’07) Ministers to a New Beloved Community at Pickledilly Skokie](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/lauren-busey-07-ministers-to-a-new-beloved-community-at-pickledilly-skokie) ### Search Blog - Latest Posts - Popular Posts [Rev. 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