wow…what a difference this year.

the last few years i have made a point of observing advent in preparation for Christmas in order to center my thoughts and to be concious of the season’s richness. i didn’t grow up in strict observance of advent. as a child of the independant Christian church, it just wasn’t part of the landscape.

we observed Christmas of course, and there were services in december dedicated to retelling the story of God’s incarnation and the announcements to mary and joseph, etc. but each year was markedly different, with the exception of finishing the Christmas eve service with a few minutes of candle holding and singing silent night. there was no steady tradition to it, none that stood out at least. but coming form a tradition-less tradition, that was expected. we didn’t want to get all hung up in the how instead of the why. and i’m cool with that, no grudges are held, everything is cool..

but, i have really come to appreciate a more intentional approach to the season. a purposeful pointing of heart, soul and mind to remembering the coming King. i love the smell of frankincense and myrrh, and having candles lit for more than just a few minutes one sunday. i love having all those elements come together in a perpetual, and purposeful time of focus.

i am so glad that Scripture doesn’t just come across as the same old same old anymore. I can read each recounting in the gospels, and not feel like it’s old news.

but this year, for whatever reason, there hasn’t been the regular return into advent. maybe because we’re trying to sell the house, and so we haven’t put out al the regular stuff at home. our creche has been simplified this year, the tree is up, but plain…and we are living in anticipation, but of the wrong thing. we have been living in anicipation of moving into louisville soon rather than living in anticipation of God moving into our world to walk our roads and feel our pains. we have been living, and doing, butnot with the same purpose. and i can feel it…

next year, advent will come and be advent. we will truly prepare our hearts for Christ. i notice the lack this year, and i do not want to duplicate it.