Thanksgiving has just passed and we are still eating pumpkin pie. Today is also the biggest shopping day of the year, but I want to sneak in one quick thought. Advent begins December 2nd. I love Advent; it is one of the gifts from my Catholic roots. At dinner each night we light special candles, sing, and read a short Advent reading. I’ll write more about it soon, and include links to some simple reading plans.
I also want to share what we will be reading this year, Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room by Nancy Guthrie. This author grabbed my heart last summer when my friend, Emily, loaned me her copy of Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow. When I went to Amazon to buy mine, I saw the Advent book recommended and couldn’t resist putting it my cart.
Let me share a bit of the introduction.
As December dawns, most families are busy putting Christmas programs and parties on the calendar, making holiday travel plans, and purchasing Christmas gifts. Those are all wonderful things, but if your family is anything like mine, these good things can squeeze out the best thing – nurturing a longing in our hearts and our homes for a fresh sense of wonder that God has come to us in Jesus…
Whether we do Advent readings with our families or on our own, a book like this will help keep our hearts and minds focused on His coming and not be completely swept up in the Christmas frenzy. Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room is not written for the preschool crowd, but little ones can always learn when they listen along, and with a little effort, we can ask questions that will help them grasp the meaning.
Another good Advent book which I enjoyed last year is Behold the Lamb of God: An Advent Narrative by Russ Ramsey.
Advent books are wonderful and add great richness to our readings, however, I do want to add that all you really need is a Bible – and a candle is a nice addition.
Advent begins on Sunday, December 2nd, so plan ahead. You don’t want to miss this beautiful time of preparation.
Question: Do you celebrate Advent? What makes this time special for you?
Lisa
yay nancy guthrie.
i'm amazon-ing this right now. from your couch. with ladybug's feet in my lap. eating the delicious chocolate cake made by eby.
love youuuuu.
I love Advent too. :)
Is there an Advent book that is appropriate for the preschool crowd? Our oldest is 6. We memorize Luke 2:1-20 every year, and that's working for us, but I'd always love to add something new.
Ellen, that is a great question; let me think about it. I'll ask on my Facebook page too.
I'm grateful for whatever time and thought you're sparing for this – really!!
I read a really good meditation on Advent (http://issuu.com/blisslemmon/docs/the_missioner_advent_all_pages_web_02_11.12.12/21) that helped me to remember that this new emptiness in my heart can be a blessing, because it reminds me always to be anticipating the filling; not just the fulfillment of the promise that we celebrate in the Christ Mass, but the ultimate fulfillment when we have a new dwelling in His Father's mansion. That aching longing that I now know better than I ever did before is something that connects not only all Christians, but in some part, all humans. Made in the likeness of His image, we anticipate our lowly body being transformed to be like His glorious body. Advent is now comforting to me, because it puts joy in its place – yes, we are to rejoice always, but joy does not always take the form of laughter. Sometimes it takes the form of tear-stained faces and broken hearts, waiting in the darkness, trusting, hoping, giving thanks for the brightness of His rising.