Preparing Our Hearts

I remember several years ago, I was leading a Sunday morning class, and we talked about family traditions at Christmas time. Of course, for some of us, certain traditions can feel soul-killing. However, others infuse the season with great meaning and hope.

One family spoke about having an Advent wreath on their dining room table, with four candles on the edges and a Christ candle in the center. They would light the candles on Sunday night of each week. The first week they would light the candle and ask each person around the table to share: what brings you hope? On the second Sunday, they would light the candle and ask: what brings you peace. And so on with joy and love.

Another single man in that class spoke of the importance of volunteering at least once during Advent to help folks in need in his community. Others spoke of intentionally adding a time of prayer each morning or evening. Someone recently shared with me that in December, she spends just a few minutes each morning, reflecting on the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke.

Have you ever noticed that when we put our heart and our soul into something, it is rich and rewarding? Think about a job or a relationship. However, if we give only half our heart, we never really get to experience the fullness of what it could be. This is true also with our faith, isn’t it?

My prayer for you is that you would reclaim these four weeks of Advent as a holy season. May you take time to reflect and to worship and allow the deeper meaning and joy of the season to sink in. Find the traditions that make this season rich… Let go of those that do not.

Let us pray: Loving God, even as we prepare our homes with decorations and lights, we also prepare your hearts. We ask that you would meet us in a powerful way this year. Even in the face of our struggles and hardships, fill us with your joy and with an abundance of hope. Amen.