Ready For The Season?

Molly is ready for the season

We had a delightful Thanksgiving holiday--blessings galore! Great travel weather, fun with the grandson, wonderful cabin guests. And, for all that, and much more, we are very thankful. However, most of the time we don't get all the leftover turkey eaten before we are in the middle of "holiday anxiety"--planning, shopping, cooking, decorating (My! I am getting anxious just thinking about all the things I must do!) I was in that sort of mood as we traveled back home on Friday.

Yesterday, Sunday, was a good day to regroup. We attended church at Boxley in light snow. It continued to snow most of the day (I am now looking out the window at snow-covered mountains). In the afternoon, a dear friend, Ruth, stopped by to give me a gift--something she said I would want before Christmas. It is an Advent booklet of daily devotionals--one for each day of the Advent, along with a small candle encircled by a wreath. These are her original writings bound in a little book. What a treasured gift!

I will quote from her introduction:

"The Advent means 'coming' and is symbolic of Christ's coming to earth as a baby, His coming and presence in the believer's heart today, and His coming again in power and glory. This advent wreath is a reminder of God's unending love for us and of the gift of everlasting life that He gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. The candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and is to be lit as each devotion is being read. The Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (November 30, 2008) and goes through Christmas Eve."

No matter how hectic the day promises to be, I will begin each morning of this Advent season with the reading of her devotional for the day, and the lighting of the Advent candle. It is my hope that you will do your own version of this. And, may it make your holiday season one of joy and love.

Prayer for Sunday, November 30--

Dear God, as we begin the Advent season, teach us the true meaning of Christmas. Each time we light the candle, help us to think about the mercy shown to us, and help us as we look at the lighted candle to "lighten up" and stop needing "perfection" in our lives. Amen

Ruth Moore