Advent

This time of year, I make it a point to pause, to rest, and to listen. I have to remind myself because there is a tendency to get caught up in the busyness of the season. Of which I cannot stand, loathe even. And it may come as a surprise because things keep jumping on my calendar which yes, I feel is a God thing, or agreed to and put there. So, I share this as one talking to herself. Reminding myself.

I attended a meeting a few years ago in Tennessee that was quite impactful. I was invited to a ladies Advent dinner from a church I was not part of. I knew only the friend that invited me. The evening was rich with an extra heavenly Holy Spirit presence. The speaker handed out Advent books and spoke. I don’t remember what she said because it was as if I came face to face with Jesus wanting to show me something that has caused me to do the Christmas season differently ever since. The message of Advent is not new, but God used that evening for me and perhaps to help you now.

For a planner it’s a fight because of the lists, the shopping, the decorating, the festivities, the traditions, the kids’ programs, the work parties, the open houses, the Christmas cards, the cooking, the cleaning, the serving, and other to dos that tend to consume us. Theres always the next thing to get to and get through. But I refuse to allow the auto pilot routine with a superficial Hallmark movie expectation to lull me into missing the whole thing it is supposed to actually be. And come January 1st I don’t want to be exhausted, not to mention have the financial strain from overspending that is thoughtful and expected in one sense but can be fruitless in another.

What happened to the birth of our savior? Does He get to be anywhere amidst all the tinsel and lights? I want to be reminded; I want to be amazed, and I want to be in wonder at the little and big miracles of this time of year. Holy Spirt wants to whisper things to us that we might otherwise miss. Things that will change other people’s lives. Things that will make us feel so great because we did some Kingdom thing. That is what it’s about. It’s about the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Messiah, anointed one, a shoot from the stem of Jesse, and Son of David. It’s about Him only.

It does take breaking free of some things. It will take time, it takes choices, it takes making room. Listening means we turn other voices off. The white noise, meaningless chatter, media and technology or whatever that means for you to get quiet. In return is communion with Holy Spirit, a thankful heart full of joy and full of peace. He is in our midst waiting to meet with us. Let’s prepare for Him. Let’s open our heart and put out the welcome mat to the authentic Advent season.