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He who testifies to these things says, "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 the highly anticipated season of Advent, have we quieted our souls and prepared room in our hearts for the imminent 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 the hustle-bustle of the holiday? No, but we should make every effort to accept God's invitation to come away with Him for a while and find rest as we prepare for the miracle of miracles, the birth of our Savior.
My prayer for you, my friends, is that you will heartily embrace this season with its promise of hope, joy, peace, and love. The coming of the Lord Jesus is right around the corner.
Amen!
Do you have any special Advent traditions? Please share in the comments.
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Another excellent post. Forgive me for repeating myself, Martha; but this is exactly the kind of post I envisage for the new "Christian Focus" Blog should it get off the ground. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
I'm so glad this fits the bill, so to speak, for what you are envisioning, Victor. I'm honored and humbled, indeed.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I don't have any traditions per se except I do try to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" at least once. Spiritually, I try to use different devotional books to help me focus on the birth of Christ, especially since my preaching will not focus on that this December. I do need to slow down though. I hope to do that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill, for sharing what you do during Advent. I love the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," too, but it's been years since I've watched it. Perhaps, it's time for me to give it another go.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
You are welcome.
ReplyDeleteGrace and blessings!
We yearn for that stillness, in what has become the most commercial of seasons.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Advent-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.cim
DeleteWe certainly do, Glynn. May we all take those precious moments to be in God's presence and peace.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thanks so much, Christine.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
May we never forget to sit in stillness with our Savior.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Diana!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Myra, amen!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
My goal is to always feel a gentle breath during this season...I think of it as an invitation to slow down, sit quietly and make room for hope in my heart. It is hard for many of us, but waiting isn't wasted time...it can be sacred as we lean into peace and practice gratitude. Great post Martha.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Shug, that waiting isn't wasted time, especially in this season of Advent. Being still and feeling God's presence and peace surrounding us is where I want to be, too. Let us accept the Lord's invitation to slow down.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
What a great Henri Nouwen quote and a great reminder!! Thanks Martha
ReplyDeleteI know you are a big Henri Nouwen fan, Jean, and I love that quote, too. Glad you enjoyed the post.
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Yes! It surely is right around the corner. I pray, Lord, Jesus, come quickly! May He bless you today!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cheryl! Yes, Lord Jesus, come to us in this season of waiting.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amen. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post touched you, Debby.
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Amen yearning for the coming of the LORD.
ReplyDeleteLove Christmas, the first Advent whenever it was as we dont know the exact day, yearn for the second Advent, which we also dont know the day or time, even so come LORD Jesus prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🏻 🤗
No, Shaz, we cannot know the day or the hour, but we do know Jesus will come again. God always keeps His promises.
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Wishing you hope, joy, peace, and love during this season.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the same, Martha.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Oh, I love this post, especially since I am being "forced" to rest and come away from the noise of the crowd for a while since I have pneumonia. God allows these things for a reason...and He knew I needed to have a slower start to this season...your reminders here to pause and remember why we celebrate Christmas...and look forward to the soon return of the Lord...help me to appreciate even more that God is right here now, speaking to me and helping me to slow down and keep my eyes fixed on Him. Thank you. I needed this reminder. I love the Advent season, and it's time for me to refocus.
ReplyDeleteGod does have His ways of meeting our needs before we even know how to ask, doesn't He? I'm sure your case of pneumonia is exactly what He planned, Pamela - not too sick, but sick enough where you know you have to intentionally slow down and make time for Him. I'm glad this was a positive reminder for you today.
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I love your photo and the beautiful background. I do believe that we are meant to be hopeful and more still in December. But people have made it into the most hurried month there is!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could take credit for this photo, Ginny, but it's one of Danny's many spectacular ones. He doesn't mind sharing - LOL! Why do we allow ourselves to be so busy and distracted during this season that we miss out on the perfect gift of spending time with Him? We all need to stay focused on Jesus and His coming.
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Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! Thank you, Martha. I love the quote, too. "Life is Advent" especially struck me. Love, hugs, and blessings of a peaceful Advent!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great observation that Nouwen made here, Trudy? I'm so glad this reflection touched your heart.
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I found this interesting
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you did, Jo-Anne. For me, this time of waiting and anticipation is the most wonderful time of the year.
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Dear Martha, I echo Ginny's comment. ♥️
ReplyDeleteAnd she made a great one, didn't she, Linda? God doesn't want us to be hurried, but to be still and know that He is here for us always.
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Major reason why I try and be done with shopping and all before December. I want to be fully present. I want to adore Him truly as He deserves. I don't want to miss a thing! Oh Jesus, come quickly!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Debby! That's exactly the way all of us should conduct ourselves precisely so we can spend intentional quiet time with the Lord during Advent. I don't want to miss one moment of wonder, either.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
My Advent candles are on the buffet and the first candle was lighted on Sunday! It's just me, but I love the tradition! xo
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just the best, Terri? We, too, lit the first candle for Sunday's dinner. Such a meaningful and beautiful tradition that turns our hearts and minds to the coming of our Lord.
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Wonderfully inspirational and motivational, Martha, and so very relevant at this time of year. Jesus is, indeed, coming to this earth again, but we don't have to wait for that glorious day to know the wonder of His presence. He brings the Kingdom He promised with Him, and the power to transform the world lives in us. Jesus was God's "Christmas gift" to the world when He came, and we are the gift He gave to the world when He left. Christmas is a time when we get to both celebrate gifts and be one. May God bless you and Danny as you offer yourselves to be the gifts sent to others in Jesus' name, and thank you for being special gifts to Diane and me and all those other loving fans in your tribe.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, Ron! Jesus was God's Christmas gift to the world and we Christians are the gift He gave to the world when He left. Wow! I had always thought about Jesus as being God's gift to us, but you've beautifully pointed out here that we as believers are responsible to become that gift of love that keeps on giving. May each and every one of us rise to that occasion this Christmas season and beyond.
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I liked this post, and I liked your words "perpetual state of expectancy". That is so true.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post spoke to you, Sandie, and that that particular phrase stood out in your mind. That truly is the way we should be living each day, expecting the best God has to give. We know it's coming!
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Beautiful, Martha! I so desire to live with that continual expectancy of the Lord...and His coming. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThat's how we should all desire to live, Karen, I agree. Lots of heartfelt prayers are with Mike and you, dear friend!
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You are a woman after my own heart. =) I love this season. We have about 6 advent calendars and way too many traditions to focus on Christ, but my favorite is how the start the season: Gifts to Christ. We each select a goal or effort we can give the Lord this month to bring us closer to Him and make the world better. Wishing you the best season!
ReplyDeleteI love that family tradition, Crystal! Starting the season with considering what gifts we can give to the Lord instead of what we want to receive is absolutely a perfect way to love and serve others in His name. Thanks so much for your kind words here today.
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Our pastor's sermon last Sunday was all about the advents.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I always get (or put together) special advent calendar gifts for each other to open.
That is such a special and heartfelt tradition, Alex - I love it! Makes the season that much more meaningful when we show love to our spouse. Thanks so much for sharing this.
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I'm celebrating "Forty Days of Praise"--a list of praise scriptures and questions, with an invitation to write a prayer of response. It's going to take me longer than the 40 days. (I suppose I write too much!) But focusing on praise during Advent is a wonderful antidote to the stress-of-overwhelm that can creep up on me in December!
ReplyDeleteI so love this idea, Nancy! Focusing on praise is such a meaningful way to celebrate Advent and go invite Jesus into our hearts anew. The last thing we need are, as you say, the stresses-of-overwhelm, and I think that's what God doesn't want for us either.
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Tis the season to slow down, reflect and appreciate each and every moment. Have a wonderful December, Martha.
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Bill! Yes, let's all take time to be still and take in the wonder of the season.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
'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
ReplyDeleteOh this is beautiful, Martha. Nouwen always had a way of speaking truth in ways that made us lean forward and listen.
I hope this Advent will bring you peace, hope, and joy, dear one. It has been quite a year for you. May you and Danny be enjoying rest and stillness in these weeks.
Bless you both.
Linda, you are one of the kindest souls I've ever met on life's journey, and your heartfelt sentiments are just what Danny and I need right here and right now. Life is Advent, and when we live it that way, we are expecting the best of the best around every corner. It's why I'm so grateful to God for every day He gives us here to sing His praises.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Your reflections on Advent are truly beautiful, and I appreciate the gentle invitation to slow down and notice the presence of the Lord in the ordinary moments.
ReplyDeleteI don’t personally celebrate Advent or Christmas in a traditional way, though I am a believer. But I do bring more light into the house during this season. There’s a star in our front window now, filled with tiny lights, and in the back I’ve hung a little star garland — that one has actually been there for months. I’ve also been lighting more candles lately.
Thank you for your encouraging words, and blessings to you in this season of waiting and hope.
Although you might not celebrate Advent and Christmas in what has become a traditional way, Aritha, I love that you bring more light into the home at this season. What a wonderful way to acknowledge Jesus, the Light of the World, coming to dispel the darkness in the world. I'm humbled by your kind words about this latest post, too.
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Great post, food for thought Martha Jane. Sitting in silence and quietness is easier in this part of the world I think, as we do not have the gift giving on Christmas traditionally, but on December 5th (today) when Saint Nicolas comes to give his gifts to children.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree, Marja. Christmas in the States has become a commercially-driven nightmare in so many unnecessary ways. That's why being intentional about our quiet time with God is crucial to set our hearts and minds on Jesus, the best gift ever given.
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Martha such a lovely post that reminds us why we celebrate this blessed season...advent! It was fun to read about you and your brother enjoying winter in Mass. It is always so special to pull out those memories and dust them off...they are what make life sweeter! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMemories do make life sweeter, Debbie. I can still see us sledding down the hill in our backyard after school instead of playing kickball in our yard in Georgia. We should all celebrate this season of waiting with anticipatory hearts filled with joy.
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Olá, Martha
ReplyDeleteLinda postagem, o Natal é uma época maravilhosa, onde celebramos o nascimento de Jesus. Ele vive em nossos corações e almejamos pela Sua volta, um forte abraço.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed this post, Lucinalva. As we celebrate Jesus' coming into the world as a helpless baby, may we never forget that He came to save the lost and died for the preservation of our souls.
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Martha Jane: I love the works of Henri Nouwen. Thank you for giving me this food for thought.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecelia, for your kind words here. I confess that I need to read more of Henri Nouwen's work. He is such an inspiration.
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This season is personal as well as shared. May yours be the same. God bless.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Blessings
Personal and shared . . . That's such a perfect description of the season, Jim. So many memories close to our hearts that are personal and so many we want to share with our friends and loved ones.
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That's a nice post my dear, wish you happy holidays.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Snobe!
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The church denomination of my growing up years did not place an emphasis on Advent until I was well into adulthood, so I'm "late to the party", so to speak. But this year I am using an Advent book for December 1-24 and enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear about the Advent book you are using in this season as we prepare for Christmas, Barbara. It's a great way to slow down and reflect during the days that are often too crazy with things to do and people to see.
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Thanks, Regine!
ReplyDeleteGrace and blessings!
A beautiful reminder, Martha.
ReplyDeleteAdvent really calls us to slow down and make space for Him in the middle of all the busyness. Thank you for this gentle nudge to look for the Lord in the quiet, everyday moments. Wishing you a blessed Advent full of peace and hope. ✨🙏
Thanks so much for your kind words here today, Veronica. I pray that you take the time to slow down and take in the beauty of Advent this season.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I ltoo look for the quiet and stillness of this season, Martha! I think His heart is overjoyed when we seek Him and let go of the busy-ness of the season! Thank you for this lovely post! It confirms what the Lord is speaking to my heart too!!
ReplyDeleteWe must be kindred spirits, Marilyn! For me, that is the best the season has to offer, the quiet and stillness. God is always speaking to us when we pause to listen.
DeleteGrace and blessings!