My social media feeds are filled with Christmas trees, Christmas lights, wrapped presents, and homes all decked out cheerfully. It’s as if we have had enough of all the events of the year and have moved onto Christmas.
Advent. The time of waiting. The time of expectation. But more so, the time of anticipation.
Anticipation can be defined as the foretaste of what is to yet come. It’s filled with hope and breathes hope. Hope of what is yet to come.
The Gospel of John explains it this way:
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
(John 1:1-5, NLT)
There’s no denying this year has been filled with discouraging times, aka – darkness. COVID, unemployment, racial challenges, and divisions on so many fronts have made their marks on these days in which we find ourselves.
It is into this darkened world, this Advent season will come to shine its Light. The darkness can never extinguish it, will be unable to put it out.
But there is more.
Advent reminds us God entered our world to be with us, and among us. He has given us life and it is to this life that He also brought His Son – Jesus, the Light of the World.
In typing these words, my One Word 2020 floats to the front of my thoughts … Savor.
It was one paragraph from a book which made me realize this was the word the Lord was introducing into my life for 2020:
“This collection [of devotional thoughts] is my attempt at paying attention, at clearing away space and noise, and inviting you to hear the drumbeat, too. God’s always speaking, always. He’s always moving, always present, always creating, always healing. The trick, at least for me, is paying attention. The trick is savoring.”
(from Savor by Shauna Niequist)
This year will always be known for the year of being home more, of less activity or should I say, less busyness. My desire was to savor His Word and see the beauty He places around me. Little did I know just how He was going to bring it all about.
On the brink of Thanksgiving and the Christmas season, I am reminded this was the time He began drawing me to the word “Savor”. And now, we will soon enter yet another time of Advent and a time of waiting.
Advent ”“ the time of slowing down, quieting oneself and waiting for the Lord and upon the Lord. It’s the time to reflect and remember …
Our Lord came.
Our Lord truly comes each day.
And He will yet one day come forever.
May we savor His Presence as we wait.
Photo by Varun Gaba on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Heart Encouragement and Let’s Have Coffee .
Beautiful thoughts! I love Advent as you know. The idea of savoring the season provides an image of engaging all of our senses as we go throughout the holidays.
Yes… I am such a hurry up girl, but at Christmas time, I make it my business to do some serious pondering. It’s a gift!
Such a rich word! Savor! Makes me think of the way I eat dark chocolate.:) But, seriously, God has blessed us with a chance to slow down and savor; it’s a gift I don’t want to take for granted or hurriedly move on from. Savor! Yes, just the right word for this season. Thank you. Joanne!
Savoring the wait was never easy for me. I remember my three pregnancies… Savoring was a good word for 2020. We did have plenty of time to savor. Maybe Advent this year will be less hectic and we will have more time for savoring!
We certainly have no excuses to not savor this past year, amen? xo
Savor and anticipation go well together. For many years, the churches I went to did not observe Advent per se, but I have found it a helpful practice. I am glad our church we’re in now does.