Image by Calsidyrose via FlickrAdvent is the four weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. More and more church traditions are celebrating this special time of year. The next few weeks I will be posting information and reflections about the colors and meaning of Advent.
Prepare
How do you prepare for Christmas?
I make lists – lists of gifts to buy, cards to send, goodies to make to share with neighbors and friends. I double-check the calendar when we will see the kids. With adult children there are multiple schedules to coordinate – not a simple as it once was.
But I stop now and ponder: how do I really prepare myself spiritually for Christmas?
I have an advent devotional that to be honest, lies unopened on my nightstand. We have been traveling so I haven’t attended the Advent services on Wednesday night held at my church. I don’t feel prepared for Advent at all.
Too often we miss Advent’s power because these December weeks overflow with secular Christmas parties and preparations for Christmas. The busyness of the season distracts us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word advent as “a coming into being.”
“A coming into being.” I like this definition.
I pause.
I bow.
I come into His being.
I rest next to the manger; thankful Jesus brought His being, His presence into our evil world.
I focus my heart on Him, not my to-do list.
I will make the time to open that devotional and seep myself in His word.
I raise my hands up with joyful anticipation of His presence
May God prepare all of us into His being as we prepare for His arrival as a baby and as our King.
How do you prepare spiritually for Christmas?
