Advent is one of the first seasons of the liturgical church calendar. It covers the span of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a time as a Christian to reflect on the first coming of Christ, and also a time to look forward towards his second coming. It is not something I knew existed before moving to Massachusetts. In New England, all the churches we have visited celebrate it and so, it has quickly made it’s way into our Christmas celebration as well.
It is nice to think of the season as being the full four weeks, a time to reflect on what it all means and to spend time with Jesus. The first Sunday of advent, Ryan and I hurried about, collecting supplies so I could make a simple but creative advent wreath (pictured below). After assembling the wreath we had some time of devotions and lit the first candle. We set up and decorated our tree, and began to soak it all in. Of course, at the beginning of the season, I had grand plans that this year would be perfect. I would focus on the most important things and not get carried away with the busy extra details. Well, I can tell you (now that it is Christmas Eve), things didn’t go that way. It seems to be a pattern, but every year at this time life seems busier than ever, and this year was no different. But even when we didn’t get to do our devotions and light the candles on Sundays, we would do it on a Tuesday or a Thursday (whenever we had a moment to breathe).
Now upon reflection, it was still a wonderful time of preparation leading to Christmas. I did stick with the book of essays I had selected (featured here) and it has been really great to read each essay day by day. Some have been thought provoking, and others joy provoking. Ryan and I have also been having amazing conversations about God and about marriage and about life. And now, we are in Ohio for two full weeks, and already the visit has been an awesome time of much needed rest and connecting with family and close friends.
Below are just a few pictures of us decorating for the season and then one from a candle-lit service at our friend’s house church in Dayton, Ohio this week.
It is nice to think of the season as being the full four weeks, a time to reflect on what it all means and to spend time with Jesus. The first Sunday of advent, Ryan and I hurried about, collecting supplies so I could make a simple but creative advent wreath (pictured below). After assembling the wreath we had some time of devotions and lit the first candle. We set up and decorated our tree, and began to soak it all in. Of course, at the beginning of the season, I had grand plans that this year would be perfect. I would focus on the most important things and not get carried away with the busy extra details. Well, I can tell you (now that it is Christmas Eve), things didn’t go that way. It seems to be a pattern, but every year at this time life seems busier than ever, and this year was no different. But even when we didn’t get to do our devotions and light the candles on Sundays, we would do it on a Tuesday or a Thursday (whenever we had a moment to breathe).
Now upon reflection, it was still a wonderful time of preparation leading to Christmas. I did stick with the book of essays I had selected (featured here) and it has been really great to read each essay day by day. Some have been thought provoking, and others joy provoking. Ryan and I have also been having amazing conversations about God and about marriage and about life. And now, we are in Ohio for two full weeks, and already the visit has been an awesome time of much needed rest and connecting with family and close friends.
Below are just a few pictures of us decorating for the season and then one from a candle-lit service at our friend’s house church in Dayton, Ohio this week.
