And So It Begins -

Advent, that is.  The start of the Christmas season for us.  The reason why we celebrate this season.  The time of preparing - not of buying, or cleaning, or cooking, or partying.  But the time of waiting and preparing our hearts that Lord Jesus might claim us anew and set us on fire for Him.  

And so as afternoon light wanes, I set aside the wish lists, the cookbooks, the craft blogs, the worries and gather the candles.  Some slightly warped from summer's heat, in different colors with mismatched holders but all with a wick waiting for the Light to come and shine from them.  

I gather my Bible, the devotion ideas,  my prayer journal and turn my thoughts on to the One who gives me life, blesses me and calls me every day.  I will sit with His word awhile and then enter the season, preparing my heart and my home for His coming.  I will wait patiently, calling on His name,  knowing that He may come at any hour, preparing to meet Him.   

And my heart fills with calm as the music swells and the light shines brightly.  

"Come thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set your people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee."

(Charles Wesley, 1707-88)

Isaiah 60: 1 - 3

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, 

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

and His glory appears over you. 

Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

(New International Version)