Every year, when I was a child, our family had an advent wreath. We didn't normally have family devotions, but every night during Advent we sat around the dining room table, lit candles and took turns reading from the Bible and from a devotion book. We ended by Dad reading a chapter from a Christmas Story called, Amal and the Night Visitors. I remember this as a special time. When raising my own children, I continued the tradition. We called it "having Advent". Around 8PM, I would say, "Boys, it's time to have Advent". They got their bedtime snack and sat around the kitchen table. We had a Bible reading and a devotional, as well. The most memorable time was when our cat, Blackie, jumped up into the center of the ring of burning candles and caught his tail on fire.
I like Advent because it delays the frantic rush to Christmas (unless you have a cat on fire, then it gets frantic!) If we allow the season of Advent in our lives it offers a chance to slow down, put commercial Christmas on hold, and ponder the real meaning of Christmas. Advent offers time to mellow our hearts. For me that means, with the help of the Spirit, letting go of my adult attitudes of cynicism and judgement and allowing my heart to be more child-like. Not be so afraid to trust and obey. Be more ready to try again, to offer encouragement instead of judgement, hope instead of cynicism, and listen more closely for the calls of the vulnerable in our society.
Do my dear readers have any stories of Advent in their lives?
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