Advent is a time of preparation.
Earlier this week, the faculty and staff at the school where I work, joined together to have a baby shower for one of our own. Now, it’s been a long time since I have spent much time with a pregnant lady, so spending the last few months watching a young, excited, happily married, mother-to-be, grow a life has been incredibly heartwarming.
As I looked around the shower at all of the preparations that had been made, from the punch bowl with rubber ducks floating in it, to the beautiful cake decorated with favorite book characters, I was struck at how beautiful it is to celebrate life.
We all came together to contribute just an individual thread in the very beginning of a tapestry that will be this child’s life. We came together to help the future mommy prepare and celebrate, and while a baby shower is not an uncommon event, I truly can’t think of a more positive one, or anything more appropriate to lead into Advent.
Today marks the first day of the Advent season, a time when we are called to prepare the way of the Lord. We are called to prepare our hearts and minds not only for the Christ child, but also for His return.
Most expectant mommies have themes for their nurseries. Some choose animals, flowers or a favorite story. The people who come to baby showers to help her prepare, will often buy something that has to do with the theme or something off of a gift registry.
I think that if Advent had a theme, it would be peace, love, joy and light. The registry would have things like forgiveness, kindness and patience.
If we were attending an Advent themed shower, how would we go about achieving those things? How would we find peace? How would we seek the light? How would share the light? How would we find and give forgiveness? How would we find joy? How would we learn to love freely?
The answers of course, all point to Jesus. Through Him we are able to have and reflect all of those things.
A baby shower reminded me that to truly appreciate Christmas, we need to take the time to intentionally prepare during Advent. We need to intentionally prepare the way of the Lord. We can take some daily quiet time during this busy season to remind ourselves why it is that we celebrate.
Then, on Christmas Eve, we too, can truly celebrate with the angels.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂