In Joyful Hope- The Advent Journey

I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  I love our Liturgical seasons.  I love Advent, Lent and Easter. I love that we play out our story throughout the year. I love our story. So when other people are talking about Christmas I have been known to remind them of Advent.  When people want Christmas to be done on the 26th, I have been known to point out that Christmas has just begun and will progress for 12 days…but technically ends on the celebrations of the Baptism of the Lord.  Okay, I understand that maybe I am a little “doctrinal” on that one. But there is a reason I feel strongly about it….

….it’s our story.

If we listen closely, we will be able to feel part of the story.  We get to know the characters. We get to take part in the setting and in the time and place. We learn to take the focus off of ourselves and place it where it belongs; smack dab in a manger.  Which is the point of this whole thing, I think!

Oftentimes, people will ask a week before, “Are you ready for Christmas?”  I generally think, “I hope I am.” Sometimes it is followed up with, “I can’t wait for it to be over! I’m so done!”  I have had moments like that and it is always because my focus is completely off center.

Trust me, if you go through Advent with a heart preparing for Jesus to enter our world, you will not feel “so done.”  Because

The Incarnation

God made flesh

the birth of our Savior,

will always excite if your heart is in the right place. But it comes through desire. God is always there, always ready, God has never left you…He came in human form so that you may trust His presence in your life. But as with any relationship we have to do our part. It is all about relationship. That takes a little work…but it’s such good work.

I hope you join me for this journey through Advent and into Christmas. Don’t settle for the “downsized” version of this season…experience something bigger!

Your invitation awaits!

 

 

Today’s prayer:

Lord, today I light my candle of HOPE.

I light it for my own heart that it may be filled with your HOPE.

I light it for a world in desperate need of HOPE.

And with a prayer that those I meet today may feel your HOPE.

I ask all of this in Your name, Amen.

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