where advent begins

This Advent I am reading a book of daily reflections from Jan L. Richardson in the book, Through the Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas. I cheated a little and read the reflection for the first day of Advent. Turns out it was exactly what I needed to hear as I posture and prepare myself for the season. Here are a few highlights…

“Perhaps the preparation and expectation to which Advent calls us are not to be found solely in the spaces we set aside during the season. Although it’s important to keep working at finding those contemplative openings in these days, perhaps Advent is what happens in the midst of all this. We enter the heart of the season, the invitation of these weeks, amid the life that is unfolding around us, with it’s wildness and wonder and upheaval and intensity.”

She goes on to say…
“Advent beacons us beyond the certainties that may not serve us – those sureties we have relied on that may have no substance to them after all. Advent is a season to look at what we have fashioned our lives around – beliefs, habits, convictions, prejudices – and to see whether these leave any room for the Christ who is so fond of slipping into our lives in guises we may not readily recognize.

As we cross the threshold into Advent, what are you carrying with you from the seasons past? Is there something you need to let go of so that you have room for Christ as he comes to us in this season? How might God use what is most present in your life – even the chaos and messiness and unpredictability – to fashion a space of welcome, not only for Christ but also for you?”

~ Jan L. Richardson (Through the Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas, “Door One”)