02 December 2013

Advent ~ True Confessions

I bought Advent candles.

That's it.

My house is a wreck.

Seriously.

No. Seriously!

I have spent wasted the better part of the past week on the computer: looking, bookmarking, typing, sprucing, decorating.

On the computer.

The first day of Advent came

and went.

That's it.

I make excuses: "Not everybody's here; I haven't found the wreath prayers that i really want; my husband and kids don't even care about Advent; I can't get anybody's help; excuses; excuses; excuses!"  The truth is that I would rather plan than do; I would rather be lazy than work; I would rather withdraw and avoid than embrace the much-less-than-idyllic reality of my life.

But isn't that the reason He came?  Isn't that the reason for Advent ~ the reason for the season?  Wasn't everything about His coming oh-so-much-less-than-idyllic: Roman occupation, unwed mother, a stable, shepherds, fallen humanity . . .

. . . me?

Yes, He came for me.

 I need Advent ~ not my house, and more than my kids ~ I need Advent ~ deep in my soul ~ I need Advent ~ not just something that looks like Advent or sounds like Advent, but His coming.

" Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, LORD Jesus.
Come in today; come in to stay.
Come into my heart, LORD Jesus. "



3 comments:

Pam Barnhill said...

I stumbled upon a set of prayers we used a few years ago. I stumbled upon them yesterday when we were cleaning and purging. It was a good thing because I failed to find a new set I liked. We used them today. Not perfect, but something. I hear ya.

Trish@A House Upon The Rock said...

Oh, my...I have been there...am there!

Love those words...
I need Advent as well.

May He show us something about His coming that we never saw before, even in the midst of the messiness of life.

Blessings,
Trish
PS. Thank you for joining the Seeking Him meme.

Pink Scissors Design said...

My husband and I celebrate Advent with a Jesse Tree. Our Jesse Tree is just a few gathered bare branches from our yard in a vase. Each night of Advent we hang an ornament and read the corresponding scripture. It's become a very special family tradition for us.

Ornaments and readings here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkScissorsDesign