Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Rush.
Yesterday was the first time I went out to do some Christmas shopping this season. I had a short list of several gifts which I could buy in one store.
After browsing around, I finally made my selections carefully and headed to the cashier. The line was incredibly long given the time of day, but I took my place at the end and waited.
A woman, two people in front of me, proudly announced she was going to time how long it would take her to get to the cashier. From the look on several faces, it was obvious the announcement was for my ears being new to the line. She turned her phone towards me to show the display as she was already on line 10 minutes and 38 seconds.
Rush.
It’s defined as “to move, act, or progress with speed, impetuosity, or violence” (dictionary.com).
Christmas seems to bring on the rush like no other time of year. We hurry about to buy gifts, wrap them, send out cards, decorate our homes, and bake. There’s no time to just settle in and be.
The tune begins to go through my head while I am waiting my turn in line:
“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.”(lyrics to Silver Bells written by Ray Evans / Jay Livingston)
The woman continues to share her phone display with the newcomers to the line: 15 minutes and 19 seconds. Some laugh, others get annoyed by the increasing wait. I keep paying attention to the tune:
“Strings of street lights, even stoplights
Blinkin’ bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.”
If we aren’t careful we will rush ourselves right through this Advent season. Advent, afterall, is the time of waiting. Expectant waiting of the Savior. Advent is the time of preparation – the preparing of our hearts for the Savior.
Advent is not meant to be the season of rushing.
“Be still and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored through out the world.”
(Psalm 46:10, NLT)
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Friendship Friday .
I get this, and the irony hits me every year. We intend to carve out time for contemplation of the holy purpose behind Advent, and, instead, we cram our days with activity and noise.
Thanks for this moment of quiet reading and thinking.
You’re speaking to my heart, Joanne! I think this rushed mentality is my greatest struggle this time of year! Isn’t it interesting that in what is meant to be the season of waiting with expectation, we feel more rushed than ever? I’m determined to find victory over hurry this year!!
I think the rushing and the increased need to have a magazine-perfect home tainted me years ago. I don’t even shop anymore. But I do give all year round and that has become Christmas for me! This year in the tiny house – I am more minimal than ever and it feels kind of good! How long did you wait in line, Jo?
In the busy days of Advent
someone else invades my brain;
her entry I cannot prevent
and Martha is her name.
She rushed thither, to and fro,
with lists clutched in her hands;
this is the season that she knows,
but she doesn’t understand
the Christmas simply can’t be seen
in the perfect gift at perfect price,
or the gracious dinner’s pearly sheen,
for generosity is her avarice.
Her giving spirit is deceived
for ’tis the season to receive.
Such great words. Visiting you from the FMF link up. laurensparks.net
It’s so crazy how caught up in their own time people get. Advent us about slowing down and savoring the season.
Love this Joanne! We were on the same wavelength this week! Where we place our focus makes all the difference!