A Pro-Active Advent

It boggles my mind that in three weeks we will be in December and the first week of Advent. I'm a bit stunned that I have already felt the need to plan out scripture and many of the hymns for the month and have started to wrap my head around Christmas Eve also being the fourth Sunday of Advent.

I’m not sure how well this is going to be lived out in real time, but I’ve also started to plan out December, hoping to avoid a) being completely over-scheduled and stressed, and b) not planning for time to get my own heart ready for the Christ child. So often, I use busyness to justify not taking time to focus on how my soul is doing and preparing for God’s greatest gift. Then Christmas Eve arrives and I end up going through the motions because I’ve been disconnected in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Here are some things I’m already trying to do to have a much richer Christmas this year. See which ones resonate with you and might help you on the way to Bethlehem:

a) Do as much planning for worship and church activities now as you can while you’re not in the thick of the season itself. Make sure that dates are set and well communicated for any special events so that people have them booked in and you get a better response.

b) With work and ministry activities blocked in, sit down to plan out family gatherings and which day(s) make the most sense to take off to get down time after the hustle and bustle of Advent and Christmas. Will you have time for a mini getaway? What days work best to see friends and family? Is it easier to host, travel to them, or meet up at a restaurant? Hosting doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner – it could be hors d’oeuvres or dessert or fondue or just hot chocolate. Start booking any get-togethers now.

c) There are so many opportunities to experience the season, to support the ministry of others, and to take in concerts, living nativities and other special events. I always try to book a few concerts, bazaars and plays. It allows me to support local arts and churches, to replenish my well and be inspired, to be reminded of the goodness of humanity, and to be ministered to by others when all I have to do is enjoy. Not being “on” is a great thing.

d) Make decisions about donations to different charities and other organizations and  mission projects. Set aside this money, and if others are in your household, particularly children, have a conversation about how these gifts are even more important than store-bought things they will receive. Decide together priorities in giving and also set your own limits on gift giving. Will you try to focus on local businesses? environmentally friendly wrapping? homemade and creative gifts? gifts in honour of people to support mission?

e) Even within the busyness of events and programs at church, find some way to choose to give of your time to something as an individual, even for an hour. It can be so easy when you do ministry as your “job” to think that doing anything yourself off the clock is unnecessary. But when it is your vocation, it becomes even more important to choose something to help with that brings you joy. If you have children, get their input on a way they could serve their community too.

f) Spread out your baking and any home decorating over several days. If you have children, have them help with a different small activity each day, rather than hours of work at a time (i.e. Monday hang the wreath on the door, Tuesday put up the Christmas lights and garland, Wednesday put together or choose your tree, Thursday make a baking list, Friday make a Christmas card list, etc.)

g) Probably most importantly, find time to be with God all throughout Advent. We can feel God’s presence powerfully as we give to others, listen to a choir, or talk about the Christmas story while tree decorating. But we also need time that is completely focused on God. Pull out an Advent devotional or buy a new one or find one online. Read the gospel stories leading up to Jesus’ birth or the book of Isaiah. Pray for your community as you go for a walk. Ask to see the world with God’s eyes.

When it’s so easy to fritter away hours on social media or in front of the tv watching Christmas specials, decide to be pro-active and to soak up the many opportunities that will come your way this Advent. Plan wisely, including down time and giving yourself permission to say no and scale back, and open yourself to whatever God has to share with you in these weeks of preparation for the greatest gift ever given.

Happy Advent planning!