Advent – Expectation in seeing God in the everyday
Advent – Expectation in seeing God in the everyday
Waiting with expectation can be exciting - but also it can make you crazy.
I love Christmas! Specifically, I enjoy the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. In the Christian tradition, this is called Advent.
Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year – the church year. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Christ child. This is a major event for those of us who practice Christianity. Jesus Christ was born to die for us. My salvation and redemption are due to this gift from God for no reason at all. Salvation and grace are given not just for me, but to the whole world.
This time for me can seem divided between “Secular Amy” and “Spiritual Amy.” Both sides, however, experience “Advent Joy.”
“Secular Amy” loves this season to submerse in everything that is Christmas: putting out festive decorations like a trimmed tree, burning balsam scented candles, televisions playing Hallmark Christmas movies, Christmas music can be heard on any listening device, and gathering time is being planned with family and friends. I am all around happy - filled with joy that can’t be taken away. The Advent season makes me feel fully alive.
“Spiritual Amy” yearns to revisit the birth story in the bible. I immerse myself in the season by reading a seasonal devotional book to make me dig deep inside to grasp the meaning of the life, work, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I reflect on what it means for God to come in the form of a baby and then die so the world may be saved and I reflect upon the impact of His life upon his disciples and the whole world. I think of Joseph, staying by his fiancé’s side as she carries a child not conceived by him. This story is certainly filled with modern day drama if we look closely – and it is a reminder that God is present within the messiness of human life.
Anticipating the coming of the Christ child embodies the joy I feel for all things Christmas.
THIS is how my joy converges during the Christmas season. All the hope, joy, peace, and love that I feel during this time is something I want to share with others.
THIS is how faith becomes a part of our identity. When faith becomes a part of who we are, we see an uncommon God in common ways.
Because of this joy, I want to share it with others.
Because I have joy, I want to spend time with those I love and build stronger relationships.
Because I love, I want to give gifts.
Because I love, I want to show how much I care.
Because I care, I love.
God is Love. Christ is love.
And the ultimate measure of love shown is God sending his son into the world for us!
So many ways in which I celebrate Christmas is linked to the gifts of Advent and Christmas. I don’t have to search far.
God knows how to work in my life for me to see Him and know Him. Maybe he knows the combination of Hallmark movies and scripture will move to live out the Joy, Hope, Peace and Love of Christmas.
What does God use in your life to live out the gifts of love, hope, joy and peace of the season? You may not have to look to far to see them.
