It is really hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving and the first Sunday of Advent is only 3 days later! The year has gone really fast. We are hosting the Thanksgiving meal at our house this year with my brother and wife and mother coming from Indiana and my daughter coming home for the first time after we left her in Virginia for collage in August. Our sons in California and Wisconsin will not come home until Christmas but maybe we will “skype” so we can at least all see each other.
Over the years, I have really begun to appreciate the Advent Season. I think it gives a very needed and healthy corrective to the busyness and commercialization of the so called Christmas season which seems to be in full swing in mid October. The season of Advent runs for the four weeks before Christmas day. The Real Christmas Season begins on Christmas day and continues for 12 days until Epiphany. Hence the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Advent makes us stop and reflect and prepare for Jesus coming into our world and into our lives. Advent reminds us to “watch and be ready” or we may miss Jesus’ coming entirely. Advent reminds us to prepare our hearts for receiving the Son of God. This has little to do with the mad preparations of gift buying, decorations, or all the “necessary” holiday foods.
I encourage all to take some time this Advent season to truly prepare for Christmas. Take some quiet time apart each day to read and reflect on the Scriptures for each Sunday of Advent. Take some time away for a prayer walk outside. Notice the winter beauty of barren trees and shuffle through the dry leaves with your feet. Take some time for a prayer walk inside a mall or large store or busy shopping. Notice the stress on people’s faces. Shoot prayer darts at each person you meet. Pray that they can be filled with joy and peace that only Jesus Christ can give.
May God bless each one of you during this Advent Season.
No comments:
Post a Comment