He who testifies to these things say, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. ~Revelation 22:20
The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord. ~Henri Nouwen
As we enter this soul stirring season of Advent, have we quieted our spirits and prepared room in our hearts for the impending coming of the Lord? Are we, as Nouwen states, recognizing Jesus' presence not just in this season, but in all the ordinary moments of our lives?
And if we're not living in a perpetual state of expectancy, then why aren't we? What would it take for us to do so?
Advent invites us to slow down, to sit in stillness, to allow that feeling of waiting with expectancy to fill us once again. Is that easy to do in this hustle-bustle season? No, but we should make every effort to embrace God's invitation to come away with Him for a while and find rest as we prepare for the miracle that is Christmas.
My hope and prayer for you, my friends, is that you will heartily embrace this season and its promise of joy and peace. The Lord Jesus is right around the corner . . .
Amen!
Do you have any special Advent traditions? Please share in the comments.
Thank you for this wonderful post, Martha. Indeed, this is the time to prepare, more than always, for Jesus to come into our lives. This is such a blessed time.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
Amen, Victor, and thank you! Advent is truly a time of blessings.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Advent is such a special time of anticipation. I love the evenings when my husband and I light the Advent candle and read our devotion for the day.
ReplyDeleteI love that tradition, Kathy. That's something I think my husband would enjoy doing with me in the evening.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen, even so come LORD Jesus... He IS our Coming King of Kings and LORD of LORDs.
ReplyDeleteYou'd love our 86y.o sister in the LORD, Martha, as I was about to reverse out today from her driveway she signaled she wanted one more chat!
I'm certain the LORDs coming is soon she said, I am sure He's coming soon. Such a faithful longing for her King.
I think if we really lived with such expectant upward look our walk for the LORD would be more fervent.. that not a moment be wasted.
My family aren't Christian but we always have a good family time if Christ barely gets a mention. Apart from saying Happy Christmas!
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless you and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Thank you, Shaz, for sharing this with me and the readers here. It's such a blessing to be able to share our experiences with like-minded Christians. Praying that your family will come to know the Lord as you do.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful post, Martha. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know you enjoyed this post, Glynn.
DeleteLove and blessings!
December is a special month giving us opportunities to see ourselves objectively. Weakness in our mind would be changed to strength and gratitude.
ReplyDeleteWe can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength . . .
DeleteThis is such a good time to reflect on who we are in Jesus.
Love and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteYes Advent is a season of singing out loud about the Lord's coming.
We're very active in the chancel choir for being the Lord's voice and for stirring people...
Hugs,
Mariette
Music is such an important part of this season of joy, Mariette. I'm glad you can participate with your church's choir.
DeleteLove and blessings!
It is a wonderful way of praising God!
DeleteYes, indeed!
DeleteI enjoyed this post. I have come to believe that the world has gotten caught up in trappings that do not honor Jesus. I am trying very hard to not pay attention to those Jesus dishonoring things this year. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely the right tact to take! Let us focus on the reason for the season alone.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh come, oh come Emmanuel. Please, hurry!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Myra, amen!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I am trying to just enjoy each day of this Advent season without allowing myself to stress over what I can and can't do. Starting out the month with the flu kind of makes me have to sit back and take stock in what is really important and what isn't. I'm not going to stress over Christmas this year. Jesus wants us to relish every day and focus our attention on Him, the reason for the season...the reason for our existence...the reason we live and love and look forward to eternity. Those are my Advent thoughts...preparing my heart for Christ to come again...it could be any moment. I want Him to find me ready for Him. I may not have my shopping or decorating or baking done, but I'll be ready for HIM. That's what it's all about.
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely what our lives are all about, Pamela, and how much poorer our lives would be without the eternal gift and promise of Jesus? I can't even begin to imagine . . .
DeleteYour decision to simply relax into and enjoy each day that Advent brings is the right attitude that all of us should have. May our Lord find us ready, no matter when He decides to return.
Love and blessings!
No special traditions other than lighting my own candles, prayers and scriptures. Of course, my church has an Advent Wreath and families are invited to do the reading and lighting each Sunday. It is a beautiful season of hope, joy, and peace. xo
ReplyDeleteAdvent is such a beautiful season in the church year, I agree, Terri. Those traditions never lose their impact or significance. May we all make a point to practice those and humble ourselves to the will of the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful thoughts, Martha. I pray to slow down and embrace this season of joy and peace. God bless.
ReplyDeleteAnd I so hope God grants you that quiet time and peace to fully embrace Him, Karen.
DeleteLove and blessings!
None here Ms. Martha Jane, but praying you and your family a blessed Advent Season. Do slow down and find that space in your heart that only God can fill sweet friends. Prayers for peace
ReplyDeleteI will, J. D., I promise! May your Advent season be filled with peace and joy.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thanks for this post Martha, I was just thinking when I wrote in my journal this morning that December should be a month to quiet our mind in order to receive from the Lord.
ReplyDeleteYes, it absolutely should be, Marja, yet our culture would beg to differ. I refuse to fall for the myth of hustle and bustle. Let's sit quietly as we wait for the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteBela reflexão, Jesus está voltando, Ele é o nosso lindo Salvador, um forte abraço.
Thank you, Lucinalva! Yes, Jesus is on His way . . .
DeleteLove and blessings!
Such a meaningful and needed post, Martha. Even so, Lord Jesus come quickly! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so gratified that this post spoke to your heart, Trudy. Yes, Jesus, come!
DeleteLove and blessings!
As our children were growing up, we took turns opening our presents one at a time while the others watched--a custom from my husband's family which I gladly adopted. This slower, quieter process precluded any mayhem, and we were able to take joy in what others received. I found it much more satisfying!
ReplyDeleteWe did the same, Nancy! I would make my kids open their stockings first before we could even begin on the gifts. It did cut down on the unnecessary mayhem and frenzy, that's for sure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I don't have any formal practices for Advent this year, but I'm happy that I can keep each week on my radar thanks to my blogging friends and church community!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Lisa! I think it's comforting to follow the traditions linked to this season of our church year.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha! Sorry I'm late to this party. The weekends are tough on me from having a day off on Friday to studying for Sunday. As a pastor, slowing down, especially during December, is a tough road to hoe. Finding the time to slow down is not only a real chore, it is even harder to find the time to just "be." I know finding time is important for me, for my family, for the church. As for a special tradition, I really don't have one except spending my Quiet Time reading or even rereading devotional books which center my thoughts on the birth of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Bill, and I can't imagine that you have much time to just slow down and take it easy at this season of the year. Maybe, after Christmas, you will have more time to be still and reflect upon the season and what it means going forward. May our Advent be blessed!
DeleteLove and blessings!