Merry Christmas, friends!
As we welcome in the Christmas joy this season, the time also known as the most wonderful time of the year, I know there are also sorrows and concerns in the midst of the joy. No matter what your season may look like, Jesus is in the midst of your season. He is Emmanuel, God with us.
More than ever before, I have found myself wanting to rest and pause to embrace the advent season this year. What joy it brings that Jesus was born, gifting us with hope, peace, love, and joy.
I remember as a little girl always being filled with wonder with the advent calendars. I could not wait to see what was behind the next window leading up to Christmas morning. As I think back on my childhood memories of Christmas, it reminds me of how I was filled with wonder in the simple moments.
As a child, the advent calendars with different shapes of chocolate hidden behind a window were the Advent I knew. But what is so much greater today is the Savior I know. The Advent I know now.
Childhood is long past, but I believe as adults, Jesus wants us to open up the wonder with Him every single day – just like the advent calendar.
Embrace the wonder of the simple things.
We don’t have to settle for the ordinary. We can experience the magical wonder. And when I think of magical, I immediately think of Disney World. Disney, it’s a place to embrace the wonder in the physical, on this earth.
My husband and I went a few years ago, and while it is a magical place, I think it would be even more magical without roller coasters. I would be satisfied site seeing and eating Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels. And I have to admit, the roller coasters did make me lose some of the wonder of Disney.
I am so glad the wonder with Christ is never lost!
Don’t miss His wonder. Let’s not let anxiety, doubt, or fear keep us from enjoying the wonder.
Advent is a season of “expectant waiting.”
This expectant waiting is not an anxious waiting. This expectant waiting is a hopeful waiting. We can anticipate the good things to come.
We’ve all had to wait. We know how hard it can be in that “in-between” stage of the waiting, right? But something that has been nudging my heart is how important that in-between time is.
The “in-between” time matters. And even if that “in-between” time during the wait to the victory seems complicated or doesn’t make sense, that can be fertile ground. It can be the very season of growth.
I wonder what Mary was thinking in the “in-between” times. We know from Scripture that she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
And Mary said, “My soul glorified the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name.”
Luke 1:46-48
Mary was so brave to carry the Savior in her womb. she chose to embrace the glory and wonder of God within her.
Along with embracing the wonder and waiting, let’s also embrace the joy!
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Matthew 2:10
I want to be overjoyed every day. I realize that life sneaks in, and our joy can sometimes fade, but what is beautiful is that we can still have those “overjoyed” moments throughout the day. We can embrace the joy of Christ within us.
When sorrow comes, when worry sneaks into our thoughts, when circumstances tempt us to give up, may we look to Jesus.
We may not always see the star, but Jesus is gently saying, “Follow Me.” Follow the truth. Embrace the joy.
Embrace His wonder today. Embrace the joy in the simple moments. Embrace the waiting in those in-between moments.
Friends, let us rejoice in Advent.