AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: INTRODUCTION

As I began to prepare my Advent reflections for this year, it was difficult to find an inspirational theme. I struggled to write anything of significance amid election outcomes and personal heartaches, along with life’s regular responsibilities and unexpected interruptions. I prayerfully questioned how I could write about the gifts of the season—the hope, peace, joy, and love of God shown in Christ—among all these other things; among the turmoil, trials, and tasks that often surround and overwhelm us.

My thoughts turned to Jesus, who was born into ordinary human life and shared the human experiences and emotions of every generation. Each Advent season, as we prepare to celebrate his birth, we also celebrate his presence already with us. Jesus has always been, has already come, and continues to dwell within and among us. He has come to dwell with us among all these other things.

And suddenly I had my theme for this season: An Advent Among Other Things.

God is here with us in all of life, its joys and sorrows, its happiness and heartaches. All four gifts of Advent are treasures especially because of the hardships. We need hope because life holds disappointments and frustrations. We need peace because our souls are not always well. We need joy because we have times of worry and sorrow. We need love because life together can be challenging.

An Advent Among Other Things will be an opportunity to notice the gifts of God in Christ—among, along, as, with, because, for (and so on)—the rest of our daily feelings and experiences. It is my hope that we may be filled with these gifts and come away more refreshed, reassured, and inspired to love and serve one another in these days ahead.

Reflections will be posted on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week in December (they will actually be published in the evening prior to each day).

Thank you for reading—may you be blessed this season!

(Photo by Karen, outside of Atlanta, GA)