My brother in law sent an email this week. He was so moved by God and he wanted to share his thoughts. It was actually thoughts he had written a couple of years ago in this season leading up to Christmas.
It was a song that made him slow down, even stop what he was doing, and pay attention.
He was flooded with the overwhelming reality of God's love. He was blown away by the way God invaded his spirit and revealed truth. The spirit of God took away his anxious thoughts and replaced them with gratitude, peace, praise and worship.
So beautiful.
And, it happened because he slowed down. He stopped. He became still.
How much do we miss because we have been lured by our enemy into busy, frantic, over-scheduled, anxious lives?
And how crafty is our enemy that we would spend the season of advent in a blur of non stop activity? Most of us overwhelmed because we know we will never get everything done. We are left with a gnawing feeling of regret and dissatisfaction.
Isn't there always one more person I could find a gift for? Isn't there always one more incredibly worthy organization I could donate to, volunteer for, pray for? Isn't there always one more tradition I could implement with my family so that treasured memories are created?
All good stuff - worthy of my thoughts and energy.
But, then I was listening to a podcast this week about our celebrations this time of year and how we came up with Advent.
The Celtics preceded the Christians in celebrating this time of year. They acknowledged a time of darkness leading up to the winter solstice. Christians related to this spiritually. We waited in darkness for the light of the world to come. So, we started to celebrate the birth of Jesus during this time.
Advent was to reflect the time of waiting, resting, knowing the days are long and dark, but anticipating the great light that would come!
So, each week one candle would be lit, until finally all of the candles were glowing and bringing light.
Celebration!
The end of waiting in the dark.
Remembering the gift that came into our world for us to experience eternal life, freedom, forgiveness, joy. It's such a beautiful and simple celebration.
As in the Celtic tradition, we put up lights to cut through the darkest months of the calendar year to remind ourselves that the light comes. And, we never get to Christmas, or the winter solstice, without first going through the dark months. God created our seasons with a rhythm. We never stay in a season of extended hours of light...it's a season. And we never stay in a season of extended hours of darkness...it's a season.
Advent.
What a beautiful celebration. Designed for us to acknowledge the natural rhythm of the earth, and to slow down and spend more time in reflection. A time to rest in the certainty of our faith. A time to receive the gifts we've been promised. A time to anticipate and dream.
Wow.
Our enemy has completely hijacked Advent. If it's not consumerism, which has reached nauseating levels of distraction, then it's frenetic activity like baking, prepping for parties, decorating, sending cards, hiding elves, finding the right sweater, etc.
And if you aren't busy, you're likely to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation and even depression as you compare your life to the seemingly full and exciting lives of those around you.
And, that's legit. Because most all of the traditions and activities are good! And feeling left out of the celebrating is not good. But, man, the enemy has a way of stealing joy and peace.
Well, I personally choose to spend some time quietly resting in the dark, with the soft white lights illuminating the room. Waiting on my God to be the light and the joy and the gifts and the love and the companion I'm desiring.
I pray that my friends can find time to do the same.
