Once again this week I have found myself reflecting more on
my relationship with Advent. This week, my thoughts took a more, joy filled and
contemplative turn. Even though it is cold enough to force me to pull out the
winter coat and gloves I find myself going out most every morning to walk my
labyrinth. As I let my gaze fall on the view around me I saw golden leaves in
piles on green grass, flowering plants in varying stages of going into
hibernation, and of course several resilient weeds doting the path of the
labyrinth – all of it touched by a blanket of frost. Nature moving into its
place of quiet rest and preparation for the glory that bursts forth in spring.
My soul rejoiced, how beautiful this is, this juxtaposition
of growing and resting. Seeing this, just days, after the first Sunday of
Advent drew my thoughts to why Advent has become my favorite part of the
Christmas season. Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas, but my contemplative
soul feeds off the season of inward preparation that Advent provides. The spiritual
practices of advent wreaths and specially chosen devotions draw me into the
spirit of preparation. It is the same reason that I like Lent.
I was recently reading an article by Diana Butler Bass and
part of it spoke to the idea that part of Advent is anticipatory preparation.
This really resonated with me. It reminds me that my spiritual practices do not
always have to be heavily weighted in serious reflection on where I am falling
short. But that there is room for and necessity for spiritual practices that
are infused with joy, play and hopeful preparation of heart and soul.
My contemplative self, thrives in this place of anticipatory
spiritual preparation. It is in this space that I am able to see the beauty of
green grass and brown dead leaves and find the hope in dying flowers that will
spread their seeds for next spring. It is here that I can seriously reflect
deep into my soul one minute and find rejuvenation in laughter of the silliest
kind with my daughter.
It is this space of anticipation that gives permission to
not sweat the fact that I forgot to buy the purple and pink advent candles for
our family wreath this year and instead gives room for using the scavenged
unused or once used candles I had around the house. I actually love the result
of our wreath decorated this year with three red and one blue candle. It has
such a different feel, these colors that are associated with Christmas and not
the purple that I associate with Lent. There is a lighter feeling of
expectation instead of the heavier weightiness of how long until the Christ
Candle.
I am learning that there is no right or wrong when it comes
to preparing my heart and soul for the birth of Christ. What is important is
that I am doing the work of preparing. So this season I am preparing with
anticipation of the birth of Christ. Anticipation for me brings joy and
excitement, feelings much needed by me right now. I am choosing to let go of
traditions and practices of this season if they no longer speak to my soul. And
instead am embracing the colors and practices that sing out to my contemplative
self. And in doing so I am finding myself naturally easing into a place of
contentment of the season.
I would like to invite you to consider if are there
practices of habit in your Advent season that you might need to let go of to
create space for anticipatory preparation. What is it that is speaking to your
soul this Advent season and helping you to find your place of contented,
anticipatory preparation for the birth of Christ?
Beautifully written and much appreciated thoughts, Joy! As my To Do list gets longer, it's helpful for me to reflect on what I can let go of. It's time to walk my labyrinth, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Twyla.
DeleteI love your cnalde colors :-) Most Advents I, too, end up with bits and bobs for candles. In part because it is more thrifty, and being poor, we use what we have, always, before buying more. For us, being Episcopalians, the color for Advent in blue, but I love the purple and pink too:those colors 'feel' more Advent-y, to me :-)
ReplyDeleteThis Advent, my teens and I are counting blessings and writing thanksgivings, every day, which is leading to a deeper and joy-filled Advent. A blessing, right there, in itself as Advent is, every year, our favorite season. This year feels richer than ever -- we are always traveling deeper, as Christians! So, it is all a true treasure, and we praise God for it.
Thank you Ellie. Your practice with your teens sounds wonderful.
Delete