We are in full on Christmas mode, aren’t we? Traffic is worse than normal. Stores are more crowded. Children are making wish lists. People appear to be completely hurried. Anxiety about what to buy for loved ones and how much to spend on them is running high. We all know how commercialized Christmas has become, and yet every year we fall into the same trap. We worry and hustle and run around frantic.
This year, I decided to do an Advent study. I used to do Advent-related things when I was younger growing up in the Catholic church, but once I became older, I drifted away from truly reflecting on this season. I wanted this year to be different. This whole year has flown by in a blur. The world has dealt with all manner of trauma and every sort of tension, and my life has experienced extreme highs that were often overshadowed by extreme lows.
My soul has been crying out for rest and peace and a slower pace. I’m sure that you’ve probably been feeling this as well. My life is busy, and the holidays seem to bring out the extra busy. But I am choosing intentionality in my schedule and in my focus by remembering Advent again.
The term Advent is a version of the Latin word meaning “coming.” It is a reminder of Christ’s first coming as well as a reminder of His second coming. Wrapped up in all of this is this process of waiting and expectation and hope. I don’t know about you, but when I look back on the hard of this year and the craziness in the world around me, I can feel a bit hopeless.
But God. Over 2,000 years ago, He sent hope wrapped in human flesh, swaddled in a manger.
I have been rediscovering the beautiful and tangible reminder of what Christ’s birth really meant for us with the candles used during Advent:
Hope with the “Prophet’s Candle,” reminding us that Jesus is coming.
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)
There were prophecies upon prophecies followed by 400 years of silence. Everyone had something in mind when they thought about the coming Messiah. They thought He would come in power as a military king. Only, He did come in power; it just wasn’t the type of power anyone expected. He came with a quiet strength and a sole focus to be about the Father’s business. He came with the purpose of saving humanity from our sins.
Faith with the “Bethlehem Candle,” reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 (HCSB)
Where would we be if not for Mary’s deep faith and her and Joseph’s obedience? They trusted and obeyed God without fully understanding. God works in the realm of mystery. He wants us to trust that He knows what is best and what will bring Him glory. He wants hearts fully surrendered to Him even with just a mustard seed of faith.
Joy with the “Shepherd’s Candle,” reminding us of the joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus.
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Luke 2:10 (HCSB)
He is joy. At His birth and even at His death, He was joy because every part of His life spoke of unending joy and even His death held joy as it led to the resurrection and to eternal life.
Peace with the “Angel’s Candle,” reminding us of the angel’s message of peace.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14 (KJV)
The Prince of Peace is God with us. He came and dwelt among us. When He left, He left His Spirit to dwell within us. When He returns, we will be caught up in the air to dwell forevermore with Him. The enemy loves for us to focus on the chaos around us. He knows that will only bring chaos to our souls. With eyes and hearts fixed on Christ, our souls find true shalom — the peace He gives that cannot be shaken or taken away.
The world may forget the only reason for the season, but I refuse to give into the holiday rush.
Instead, I will lean into
waiting
and wonder
and longing
and mystery.
The King of Glory is calling us to remembrance through Advent, and hope, faith, joy, and peace await us there.
Are you finding it difficult to avoid the holiday rush?
How do you observe this glorious season of Advent?
The King of Glory is calling us to remembrance through Advent, and hope, faith, joy, and peace await us there. -@karina268: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Karina,
Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace, Christ…He came to give us all of these. Amazing that His birth was prophesied centuries before His lowly arrival. We expected a King on a stallion, but He came as a babe in the manger. He meets us “manger tramps” right in the mire where we stand. Joining with you in taking time and being intentional about preparing my heart for His coming.
Blessings dear Karina,
Bev xx
Amen and Amen Bev!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
Thank you Karina for speaking right to my heart and echoing God’s calling over me the past few days as we transition from one holiday to the next. I am finding so much joy and peace in slowing down and I greatly appreciate how you incorporated the 4 weeks of Advent and what they (can) mean. I reject the rush with you and am delighting in the wonder! Let’s hold fast to this.
Amen Andrea! So good! I’m glad we can delight in wonder together!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
Every year, I look forward to celebrating Advent with my family and in quiet moments of contemplation. My idealized version of this always sputters out by December 15th, but the reality of intention–to make Jesus real, to stay awake to the coming of Light and Life in big and small ways–always makes the season special in unexpected ways that I could never have planned for.
Blessings to you in this season of hope, peace, and joy!
I love that Michele! I love seeing His unexpected surprises during this season!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
I’ve experienced a few years of Christmas plans that were interrupted by cancer or surgeries or tragedy. I realize now that this season can be a time of hope, peace and joy even without my “must haves” to make Christmas special.
Sending cards, baking cookies, decorating my house and shopping for the perfect gifts are merely fun add-ons. The meaning of our celebration and sharing it with others is truly the “must have. “
So good Heidi! Jesus and community are my “must haves” too!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
I truly understand this season. Its all about Jesus and God in a body so He can walk among us. He has cared for people from creation. Christmas is over commercialized. Black Fridays are ridiculous. We live right behind an outlet mall that’s big. So many people on late thanksgiving and Friday. Sales….same. I just stay home. I do feel disappointed in all the bad things that have happened this year. We need to continue to spread the light of Jesus to every little corner of our community. Live like we’ve been taught throughout Scripture. Be Bold. Be the Beacon of Jesus!!!
Yes Becky! May we spread his light everywhere we can this season!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
We’ve been sick as well. For a few weeks ago and then my husband’s been sick all week. …thankful you are feeling better. Have a blessed Christmas!!
Thank you for this. I love this one. I’ve been thinking a lot lately that I want to celebrate the holidays based on what their true meaning is. Family members keep asking me what I want for Christmas. The truth is, I don’t want anything other than time with family remembering that we already have the best gift given to us….Jesus.
That is beautiful Megan! May you have the sweetest times with all of your family!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
Lovely.
Thank you for reading and sharing Elizabeth!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
This devotion touch my heart. I really like your descriptions. If the candles. Years ago when my children were young we did the advent wreath with the candles. But I didn’t know the names of each candle. I so excited to share this with my grand children. I will be putting an advent wreath & candles on my table tomorrow and sharing this story.
Blessings, Angie
Angela! That melts my heart! Thank you for reading and sharing!!! Tell me about how your time with your grand kids went!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
Thank you for your beautiful words. May God bless you and show your heart peace!
Thank you Monique for reading and sharing!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁
Karina,
God doesn’t conform to society’s norms. Society says we have to rush from Halloween to Christmas. That way people can buy buy buy all sorts of gifts for everyone. While giving gifts isn’t wrong-it’s not the real reason for Christmas. It is about the birth of a Savior. We should sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Gifts should be given to Him like our selves wholeheartedly following Him. Being obedient to the word of God & letting Him rule in our hearts, minds & souls. I don’t fall into the rush rush rush trap of Christmas. I may buy a few gifts for those I care about. My main focus is on the birth of Christ. People tend to say Happy Holidays because they don’t want to leave anyone out-& they don’t want to say Christmas. If sending a card out I look for those that point the way to Jesus. I have two songs that are near & dear to me. One is “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West. It speaks of Jesus leaving the splendor of Heaven to come down to broken Earth to save us. That’s how much we are worth. The other is “It’s Called Christmas with a Capital C” by Go Fish. It mentions how society treats Christmas. The chorus is “it’s called Christmas what more can I say? It’s about the birth of Christ & you can’t take that away. You can call it something else, but that’s not what it’ll be It’s called Christmas with a Capital C.”
Blessings 🙂
Amen Beth! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁