The Season of Advent draws near, this holy season begins this Sunday. Advent is not meant to be a season of rushing around, buying madly, eating too much, drinking too much, stressing too much, grousing at people who wish you "Happy Holidays," all to end on the culmination of Christmas day; where you are tired, stressed and glad the whole thing is over. If that is you- slow down!
Advent is meant to be a sacred time, of faith, family and fellowship. It is where we celebrate the coming joy of Christmas, which marks the blessed nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. (And yes, no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, and this was a day chosen by the Church to mark the celebration, just enjoy it and rejoice!)
Advent, which lasts four weeks, is a time to prepare our hearts and homes for Christ's birth. We're to marvel a little more at the world around us, to love a little deeper the people God has placed in our lives, to give a little more to the vulnerable and needy, and to reach out all the more in love and friendliness to those we encounter. It is a time to avoid needless conflicts (if someone says to you Happy Holidays, return it in grace, for that is what we are told to do in the Bible; to as much as possible live at peace with those around us Romans 12:18), slow down, make memories with our loved ones, delve into the Nativity story and explore the mysteries of faith.
You should arrive at Christmas Eve expectant and full of joy; not tired and stressed, weary and frazzled. After Christmas day we have 12 days in which to mark the joyous season, so pace yourself now....Between Advent and Christmastide there are 6 weeks of marking the nativity of our Lord Jesus' birth. So take your time, meander through the season; make cookies with your children, sing Christmas hymns together, watch good movies and read good stories, drink hot cocoa together, go to Church services together, light your Advent wreath and open your Advent calenders, tell your children the story of the Nativity and make your home a warm, loving, sacred place this Advent and Christmas.
-Be blessed, and be a blessing to someone else
Beth Butler
Advent is meant to be a sacred time, of faith, family and fellowship. It is where we celebrate the coming joy of Christmas, which marks the blessed nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. (And yes, no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, and this was a day chosen by the Church to mark the celebration, just enjoy it and rejoice!)
Advent, which lasts four weeks, is a time to prepare our hearts and homes for Christ's birth. We're to marvel a little more at the world around us, to love a little deeper the people God has placed in our lives, to give a little more to the vulnerable and needy, and to reach out all the more in love and friendliness to those we encounter. It is a time to avoid needless conflicts (if someone says to you Happy Holidays, return it in grace, for that is what we are told to do in the Bible; to as much as possible live at peace with those around us Romans 12:18), slow down, make memories with our loved ones, delve into the Nativity story and explore the mysteries of faith.
You should arrive at Christmas Eve expectant and full of joy; not tired and stressed, weary and frazzled. After Christmas day we have 12 days in which to mark the joyous season, so pace yourself now....Between Advent and Christmastide there are 6 weeks of marking the nativity of our Lord Jesus' birth. So take your time, meander through the season; make cookies with your children, sing Christmas hymns together, watch good movies and read good stories, drink hot cocoa together, go to Church services together, light your Advent wreath and open your Advent calenders, tell your children the story of the Nativity and make your home a warm, loving, sacred place this Advent and Christmas.
-Be blessed, and be a blessing to someone else
Beth Butler
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