Yesterday was a meaningful day for me and probably for several of you…the first day of Advent! Now, I realize that there are many among those who read this blog that do not formally celebrate the Advent season in their denominations. I am not here to start a conversation on whether or not they should–I will leave that discussion to those with more letters after their names than me!

What I do want to tell you about is why Advent is such a powerful time of year for me. You see, for me–at least during my adult years–Advent seems to come at about the perfect time. By the end of the calendar year, I sometimes get pretty beat down. The weather turns gray and cold (have I mentioned I really don’t like gray and cold weather?). The newness and spark of all I set out to accomplish in the new year has long since started to wane as I realize that it is looking like I am not going to accomplish everything I had set out to do.

By December–I am ripe for restoration! I am ready to experience the hope and joy of the Christmas season as I look back on the first coming of Jesus and joyfully look towards His second coming. The Advent season helps give me back my focus as I turn my focus to Jesus. I have my favorite Advent devotionals and readings from the great saints of the past, along with those that are my contemporaries.

What I love most about the Advent season is that–whether in a song or a story or the way a Scripture hits me–I get to see Christmas like a child again. I get the warm feeling that cuts right through the heart of how Christmas is marketed to us today by our culture. Do you remember what Christmas felt like when you were a child?

I do! I remember the simple joys of how we used to have our Advent wreath right in the center of our table growing up (complete with real evergreen branches–no fire hazard there!) At dinner, we would all take turns getting to read the short Advent devotional our church provided. One would get to read the devotional and one of us would get to light the candles. Simple traditions that provided memories for a lifetime.

What are your Advent memories? What is it about this season that causes you to pause and really take in that God sent His Son into this world–to redeem us?! I pray that this Advent season is a time of restoration for you and a time to pass on the real gift of Christmas to others!

More to come…
Jeremy