Advent is here. The countdown has begun. If you know me you know that means that I’m giddy because this time of year is precious to me. However, it wasn’t always that way.
As my childhood years morphed into teenage years I found Holidays to be less appealing. They had lost their magic, probably in part due to the fact that Santa wasn’t real and I was a little bitter about that. Partially due to my tendency to be always a little depressed. So as time rolled on and I made my way to adulthood I found myself working weekends, Birthdays and Holidays. The beauty of Christmas time was all but lost on me.
It wasn’t until the Christmas after Preston and I said our vows at the ripe age of 20(a story for another time) that Christmas regained a little bit of the old charm for me. I began to see the beauty of it again. Since then we’ve been blessed with 3 children and Christmas has more than regained it’s old charm and beauty but I have found a new love and admiration in all of this. Specifically for the season of advent.
As my faith has broken down and rebuilt over the years my heart is more tender toward the advent season than ever before. Our Jesus, offering Himself in humility, to become one of us, takes on a whole new dimension after the last few years of studying the word and viewing the gospel in a new and all-encompassing light. Simply put, it just means so much more to me now than it ever did before.
One of my favorite parts about the anticipation and celebration of advent is it removes the after Christmas blues for me. Rather than finding the climax has come and gone and there’s nothing else to look forward to, I find that the new year is always a new opportunity. Lent is a time to look forward to. Walking through scripture and remembering Jesus’ earthly ministry is something to look forward to. He created the seasons for a reason. Our brains need anticipation, beginnings and endings. This perspective has kept contentment and joy more consistent in my life.
So with all of this in mind, how should we celebrate this season? I think the beauty of it is that it will be a unique celebration for each unique person/family.
Our advent season looks like us reading the Bible each night to our kids. Going through an advent devotional(this year we’re reading Prepare Him Room by Marty Machowski). We light the advent candles in our home and discuss what they symbolize.
We also value tradition. We decorate the tree together, we make Christmas goodies and we share them with friends and neighbors! We read our favorite Christmas books and watch our favorite Christmas movies. These are things that our whole family looks forward to every year.
If this seems overwhelming to you, I can absolutely empathize. I have been there. There were many years that Christmas was overwhelming to me. There were years that all we could manage were lights on the tree, no Christmas goodies and everyone maybe got one gift. There were years that were not fun and full of tradition. It has taken time and perspective to get us to a place where it made sense to lean into this time of year rather than resist it.
You don’t have to have extravagant traditions this season. This isn’t me pressuring you into stressful traditions, rather I would love to be an encouragement to you. Maybe this message can inspire you toward a season looking to the Savior’s willing sacrifice. His beautiful example of humility. His readiness to bless His beloved people.
As we continue on this journey in sanctification I hope that this advent season can be one of tenderness that helps soften your heart. One that reminds you of the hope that you have. A season that reminds you of the joy that you already posses in your soul. The time to place the King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father on His rightful throne in our hearts.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will rest on His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
The Crunchy Vagabond 