5 Little Advent Helps

Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14
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I love the season of Advent because it gives me a chance to practice waiting and longing.  To be honest, I’m not so whippy at either one of those things so I always welcome this season and try my best to embrace the opportunity to slow down and wait well.  By the time we get a wee bit past the halfway point I feel the rushing and busy noise step up the pace.  Thank goodness for that pink candle that is a lovely reminder that the PERSON I’ve been preparing for is almost here.

I heard a priest mention one time that Advent is the season given to us…and I have no idea what he said next because I had failed to realize what a gift this season is.  It’s so easy to begin the season strong and then get swept away as Advent morphs into pre-Christmas stuff but I’ve prayed with those words and realized Advent is a gift that renews itself every morning for nearly a month and whether it’s the first day or the middle of the third week, the invitation for slowing down, pondering and longing was given to me so the simple act of thinking of those words puts my  mind in a different place and makes me grateful.  We aren’t given this season to be perfect, we are given this season to remind and encourage and prepare.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote about Advent as preparation for the three comings of Christ. The celebration of Jesus the baby, Jesus the judge in the second coming and Jesus in the third or middle coming as he comes to us each day.  I love pondering this third coming and it helps me be where my feet are.  Sometimes we get swept away in thinking about what’s been or what’s coming and forget Jesus is right here with us…where we are right now, in the mess, in the noise, in the string of stuff that makes up our days.  Whether it’s the beginning, middle or the tail end of Advent what if we pondered this each time our thoughts drifted away from the season?   As a little Advent re-focus for all of us to ponder, here are the 5 P’s of a great Advent day (notice I said day…don’t worry about the whole season…just this day).
Purpose…remember we’re not preparing for a holiday…we’re preparing for a PERSON.  Ponder this as you think of all the reasons you’re grateful for his love and his presence in your life.
Peace…find a few minutes each day away from the noise just to think about Jesus and his enormous love.  I might suggest heading to the laundry room to find your peace because nobody usually follows you there.
Plan…make that big ole to-do list but offer it to the Father asking him to be the manager of your time and tasks.  Ask him to control the tempo of the day in order to show you how he’s leading you and asking you to love and serve him and others.
Patience…this one will require surrender instead of control.  Each time you feel the rush and the pace pick up just close your eyes and lift your hands palms up and ask Jesus to take whatever burden or bother is wrinkling your peace and testing your patience.
Presence…be where your feet are!  There are things to start and things to finish but Jesus is with us in this moment…is there room for him?  When we joyfully still ourselves, he will open our eyes to his wonder and the gift will be peace, contentment and grace.
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A Seed To Plant: Write down the 5 P’s and put them in a visible spot so you can practice them each of the remaining days of this beautiful season.
 
Blessings on your day!