'Tis the Season

December 14, 2015

Image by Waiting for the Word via Flickr
"'Tis the season."

That is my go-to response this time of year for all manner of things, most of which is spoken wistfully with a tinge of irony.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and friends and family and celebrations.

But, 'tis the season for easily becoming overwhelmed with expectations.

'Tis the season for the strain of step that took its sweet time (three consecutive weeks) to roll through my household, picking us off one by one.

'Tis the season for quietly ticking off days in the back of my head as I try to make sure I've covered the bases for gifts, cards, cookies, and all the traditions this season brings for my family.

'Tis the season for totes sitting in my family room, reminding me that I haven't yet decorated the fireplace mantle and probably won't get to it this year.


'Tis the season for becoming so consumed with hustle and bustle that I forget to pause, to breathe deeply, to take in the wonderment of God coming to earth in the most perfectly beautiful way possible.

It's when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed that I can't help but think that we so often flip the season of Advent backwards and upside down as we rush pell-mell into Christmas morning. We forget the entire season beforehand - the anticipation, the wonderment, the awe of what is about to happen.

Advent is a wondrous time filled with quiet longing, with joyful expectation as we look forward to that one morning and that one birth that forever altered the course of mankind.

And, so.  As we face the start of another new week, filled with activity and to-do lists and celebrations, it is my prayer that we find the time, the moments to slow down and to simply sit in Advent reflection.

Lord, refresh our hearts as we realize, yet again, that we are beloved, precious girls in the sight of our Heavenly Father. Remind us we are enough, just as we are - that there is nothing we can do or say or give that could make God love us anymore....or less. Nudge us in in the areas where we need to grow this upcoming without condemnation. And, Father, speak to our hearts in a deeply personal way as we wait with joyful anticipation this Advent season. Amen.


  





1 comment

  1. I just wrote about wresting with this time of year too. Perfect prayer.

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