Keeping the Season of Advent
Advent always seems to pass by in the blink of an eye, and this year—with Christmas Eve on a Tuesday and Christmas Day coming on a Wednesday—this season is almost at its shortest. Amidst the urgency of buying a tree, stocking the pantry, arranging for visits from relatives and friends, and selecting gifts, how can we intentionally slow down and focus on our spiritual preparation?
One good way to stay centered is to pick a theme or focus for each week, meditating on it during your daily prayer and in the course of routine activities like cleaning, shopping, and walking. Taking a cue from our sanctuary Advent Wreath are four workable themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
On this First Sunday in Advent, as we begin a new liturgical year, we are filled with hope. The story of our salvation has circled back to its starting point: the expectation of the Messiah. This week intensifies our hope in the coming of a Savior who will free us from the chains of sin and become our Way and our Light.
What can I do?
Call or write a letter to a family member with whom you would like to have a closer relationship. Make plans for the new year to chat on the phone or meet on Zoom or in person. Let them know how much you love them and look forward to knowing them better. Put your phone on airplane mode and leave it in a dresser drawer for an hour or two. Whatever happens during that time, you can handle it later. Give this
time to yourself and Jesus to rest and recharge for the week ahead. Go out into our neighborhood today. Where is God at work? Ask God to show you how you can celebrate that good work and name God’s presence in our community.
Advent II
During this Season of Advent, taking our cue from our sanctuary Advent Wreath, we can reflect on four spiritual themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
On this Second Sunday in Advent, we focus on the theme of Peace. The Prince of Peace came among us at the only point in history when the entire world was at peace.
Intentionally bringing stillness and peace into our souls through quiet prayer is the best groundwork for welcoming the Messiah into our homes at His Nativity.
What can I do?
During this week, within this holy season, I invite you to respond to God’s call using daily practices, and I encourage you to offer them to your friends, family, and neighbors. As you are out and about for the rest of this week, notice the people you pass. Ask God to bless them in their lives and work. See how this changes the way you go about your week.
Do you have amends, apologies, or adjustments you need to make? Ask God to open your heart and mind to those opportunities for reconciliation and growth. Thank God for the gifts of mercy and love, and ask for the courage to make necessary changes. And then do
your best, with God’s help, to make those changes.
Who has shared an important lesson or their presence with you this week? Thank them today with a call or note. Today, go out of your way to converse with someone you might not usually visit. Ask God to open your heart to hear this person as God does.
Share your faith story with one new person this week. It can be someone you have known for a while who has not heard the faith part of your story.
Advent III
During this Season of Advent, taking our cue from our sanctuary Advent Wreath, we can reflect on four spiritual themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
On this Third Sunday in Advent, we focus on the theme of Joy. The word “Joy” is found over 400 times in the Bible. We have the opportunity each and every day to both embrace the joy our Lord gives and extend that joy to those around us. We can both receive and speak joy. When we receive this joy ourselves, we can live a life of peace that can only be sourced from God. When we speak this joy to and over others, God can move in incredible ways in them.
What can I do?
Reflect a little more on this Sunday’s Collect (BCP page 212). How will prayer guide you through the rest of the week? Set aside special time today to focus your intentions on stirring up peace and spreading joy.
Take some time to turn away from the busyness of the world this week. As you do so, give thanks for this time of renewal, reflection and refreshment.
Capture some time any day this week to discern if there is a unique gift or blessing you can share with those around you or through a local community ministry. Ask God to inspire and equip you with the fortitude and tools to make this gift something truly memorable and heartfelt.
If it is not too cold outside, go for a walk and let the air sweep over you, taking away the worry and stress you may be dealing with. Before and after your outside time, read Psalm 100. Ponder how this psalm may help you rest and recharge your spirit.
Read Matthew 4:18-22. How do these verses from the Gospel of Matthew motivate you to read Scripture with new eyes? Reading other translations of this passage might give you some fresh insights.
