Advent Reflections

So, I've never really "done" Advent before, until this year. I've heard about it for many years. Initially, I thought it was a Catholic thing (no joke). Then I thought it was just for the really religious. And a few years ago, I thought it was just for families for the purpose of teaching their children about Christmas. Finally, this year I committed to "doing" Advent and really understanding its purpose.

And, it was awesome.

Every year leading up to Christmas, I try to meditate on the Incarnation and on why Christ came, but I so easily get distracted. This year, however, I felt so intentional each day as I meditated on Jesus coming as a babe to save us, that it really made a difference in my Christmas. Andrew and I had some of the sweetest moments together and with Sybil as we celebrated Christmas week. Every day our hearts just welled with thanksgiving and joy at the hope we have in Christ.

I swear our hearts almost exploded with the joy of the gift we call Sybil this year. There was one night where we went out to eat as a family. We had an awesome meal and Sybil was especially sweet. She was handing out kisses right and left and "oohing and ahhing" at all the Christmas lights. We took our sweet time and enjoyed each others' presence. When we pulled in the driveway, Andrew looked at me, smiling, and said, "Are you feeling it too?" I nodded and told him not to turn off the car but for us to just sit there. With tears in our eyes, we soaked up the moment. There was nothing extraordinary about that night--just dinner at a normal restaurant and a movie at the house, and a child whose been ours for over a year now. But in the simplicity of it all, with the hope of Christ coming and thanksgiving in our hearts, the ordinary became extraordinary to us. We felt His presence and His favor in His coming to our family. Our hearts began to burst. A moment became a memory.

This continued for several days after...even after Christmas day. Honestly, I feel it now still as I write. I feel His favor in the continued state of Advent--the coming of our Sweet Jesus. There's so much hope in knowing He's coming again. And when He comes, "He will wipe away every tear from their (our) eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) There is so much hope in Advent.

May we be Advent-ing all year round. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May it be a year of continual waiting, expecting great things from the One worth waiting for!