a season of anticipation.

Until this year, I never really knew what Advent was.  Growing up in church, we would have people light the candles of the Advent wreath each Sunday leading up to Christmas, but it was merely a tradition.  I was never shown, nor did I explore or come to understand, the importance of this season.  This year, however, I have several people in my life who have been talking about Advent, and it brought with it a new appreciation of the candle-lighting ceremonies of my childhood.

Advent is "a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas."  While this time is meant to commemorate the season of waiting before the Messiah came, it also celebrates the period of waiting for the Second Coming of Christ.

Expectant waiting - Anticipation of what is to come.  The kind of excitement and joy that builds up until finally, the day comes when we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  An entire season to celebrate waiting?  When we wait in long lines, we sigh because it takes so long.  When we have to wait a long time for someone, we get frustrated because they haven't come on time.  Yet, every year, we celebrate waiting and the anticipation of what is to come.  Let this reign over your perspective when faced with extraordinarily awful traffic - let the expectation of what is to come help you through it.

Preparation - What does it mean to prepare for Christmas, aside from our American consumeristic notions of gift-buying and candy-making?  Having an advent wreath as a visible reminder and reading Bible passages about the coming Messiah (Isaiah would be a good start) are good ways to prepare your heart and mind for Christmas.

This December is different than most, as the focus is no longer on the gifts, the cookies, the decorations, or even the peppermint white mochas (with less flavoring and extra espresso, of course :)).  Instead, let this be a time to reflect upon the birth of the One who gave us life - a true remembrance and act of thanks for this precious gift.  Let us not forget the origin of this warm and cheery holiday.


Side notes:
Gordon Conwell sends out a daily Advent devotional e-mail.  Sign up here.

I also follow this blog, in which the author will make weekly posts this month about the Advent season.  Check it out!