I go through cycles of loving and immensely disliking the more popular aspects of the holiday season, and this year I am solidly in the disdain category.
I don't want to shop, I don't want to listen to Christmas carols on the radio and I really don't want to hear people complaining about the nuisances of this time of year (like. I. suppose. I. now. am.).
But what I do really like about this time of year is Advent, the preparation of our hearts for the coming of God, salvation, a spirit of unity and goodness, or whatever is it that we each find to be worthy of our anticipation.
Like the Lenten season, the Advent season is an exciting period of peaked generosity, gentleness, and for me, the ability to grow closer in heart to Who it is that I believe is our shared Creator. It remains a magical time in this way, and I find that I am taking most seriously the call of that Creator to love bravely, recklessly, and from a place of truth.
While my outside behavior might seem minimally changed during this time, my motivations are leading me more toward patience, kindness, temperance and understanding as I lean into knowing God, in the moment, each day of December.
I hope the season is filling you with lots of light!
If you would like to follow along with some short Advent readings during this journey to Christmas, please check these out: http://www.chapelofthecross.com/advent
PS - None of my disdain applies to Rudolph, ever. He always has my heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment