Preparing Our Hearts

Advent has finally begun.  That means it’s basically Christmas already, right?  Well, not so fast.  Thinking about this new liturgical season, I started reflecting on past years.  Reflecting on my preparation during Advent in previous years, I realize that my efforts were quite weak.  I usually had good intentions but found that the season passed by in a flash.  I would maybe pick up one of those little Advent reflection books and passively read through the reflections for each day, often missing days along the way.  I would get to Christmas and not much would be different.  To be honest, the four weeks leading up to Christmas for me probably did not look much different than those of non-Christians.  This Advent, I want to be more intentional than ever and truly enter into this beautiful season that we have been given.  Let us not get sucked into the culture’s ways.

​Everywhere you look, it seems as if Christmas is already here and has been for awhile.  Stores have been decked out with Christmas decorations for several months.  Christmas music is on the radio.  People are trying to plan the perfect Christmas parties and find the best gifts.  Our culture seems to jump into the Christmas festivities so early and quickly that by the time December 25th comes, they are wiped out and sick of it all, ready to take down all the decorations the next day, stop the celebrations, and move on to the next thing.  I will admit, I have already watched my fair share of Hallmark Christmas movies this year.  However, are we willing to fully embrace the season of Advent and live in a way the world does not understand?

The world does not like to wait.  Our culture is one of instant gratification and fulfilling personal pleasures and desires.  This time of the year, our world is telling us to go constantly, stopping for nothing and no one.  We are told to embrace the busyness and jump right into the hustle and bustle.  There are places to be and things to do and we must hurry to fit it all in.  We want all the noise and excitement but not the silence.  We want the gifts and parties but not the emptiness and waiting.  We want Christmas but not Christ.

What if we spent these next four weeks of Advent by embracing all that the season has to offer?  We are called to slow down and enter into the waiting and anticipation.  We are called to deeper reflection, prayer, and silence.  We can take time to listen more closely to what God is speaking to us.  We need to examine our hardened hearts and work on removing all the distractions and attachments.  We need to become aware of the stirring and longing in our hearts and recognize the only one who can fulfill the deepest desires.  Advent should not be treated like a to-do list of tasks we have to get done before Christmas. We are not perfect and should not become discouraged.  Advent is an invitation to prepare our hearts and minds for Christ.

Jesus wants nothing more than to come into your heart and be close to you.  Will you take the next four weeks of Advent to prepare room for Him?  Will you spend time waiting, praying, reflecting, and resting?  My prayer is that you will be able to slow down, enter the stillness and silence, and prepare to receive Christ with joyful hearts.  May you have a blessed Advent!