I love the Advent season. I love consciously preparing for the coming birth, hope, joy, and peace that it will bring. In my winter ritual of preparation, I read a wonderful book from Jan Richardson called Night Visions. She leads me through seven wonderful weeks of being present to what it to prepare a place for God in our souls, in our hearts, and in our lives. She writes a wonderful reminder of how to hold and be with this season:
"Chances are if we don't enjoy the process of getting ready, we won't enjoy the event we are getting ready for. If we become so consumed by getting Christmas right - the right present, the right cards mailed to the right people at the right time, the right dishes for Christmas dinner - we risk missing the surprising ways that God prepares us in this season. As we open to God's guiding in these Advent days, we may discover that the space being prepared for the coming birth lies within our own selves."
I pray that you are finding some time to be quiet and still and are enjoying the preparations for this wonderful season of Advent.
Thanks Vicki for the reminder. It all reminds me to enjoy the journey, we tend to get so caught up in the time or place of where the journey is taking us that we forget to be in the "PRESENT". I am still making time to prepare my heart for Jesus. Just not sure what that looks like. So I ask for Jesus to consume my heart and soul. To look forward to the continued peace and wisdom. Wishing you and your family a time of advent and all that the season can bring.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Charl