Growing up in a Baptist church, the mark of Advent was usually when the Christmas decor would get dragged out of the church attic to decorate the stage. The church ladies would string ribbons and garlands all over the sanctuary. We’d begin a Christmas sermon series, put on a Christmas play, and begin singing Christmas hymns. By this time in Alaska, the snow would be deep and the nights dark, and terribly cold. My family would start our Christian shopping and decorate our own tree at home, always a real tree of course.
With all the lights and coziness of the season, Advent has not been my favorite time of year, especially after years of serving in the church. The season is short and feels jammed packed full. Consequently, anxiety arises with the approaching hustle and bustle of the season. The pleasure/pressure of decorating the house, buying gifts for family members, and preparing for holiday travel makes my head dizzy. Advent is traditionally a season of preparation for the arrival of Christ and, yet the only thing I seem to be preparing for in Advent is the arrival of absurd busyness and a higher credit card bill.
I need to learn a new way of Adventing. I want to love this season of wonder again, to learn anew what it means to wait for Christ to come.
Much of what I know about Advent is in fact, learned. Not to be redundant but the way I have seen and behaved in this season has been learned: from church, from family, and from culture. And I have had many teachers over the years, from Pastor Bob at my childhood church to the Target dollar spot (or five dollar spot for that matter). But after not being a part of a traditional church for some time now, I find myself more open to listening to the teachers who don’t have mics or scented candles. These teachers have always been with me, patiently waiting for me to pay attention. I am beginning to see that they too have a sermon they want to preach and songs they want to sing but I haven’t been quiet enough to listen, let alone present to join in. They are the holly trees in the back corner of my yard, and the swallows perched on the birdbath. They are the bursts of bright red from my blueberry bushes and the cold afternoon breeze on my face.
Creation has always been teaching us even if it has been in our peripheral.
When I stop to examine the way God has always been present with me in nature, I realize the lessons I have learned:
The trees on Mt. Tabor have taught me God is my protector.
Each sip of wine teaches me God enjoys creation.
I have learned God is always near in the warmth of the sun.
Yet, these have been fleeting moments. Snap a photo, post it on Instagram and move on. But this year, my soul feels the urge to slow down, be still and listen to creation’s song. All of nature is a continual display of the wonderous love of God. Nature made a home for the Godman, Jesus and it makes a home for us now. It longs to nurture our souls as well as our bodies, and minds.
This season I invite you to learn a new way of being in Advent from the ancient wisdom of creation. Nature isn’t distracted by the shiny lights of this season, it is always in conversation with their Creator. Let us join in that conversation! I am no expert at this, it is as new and wild and wondrous to me as it is to you. We are learning together how to see the Divine in nature with whom we are waiting, alongside all of creation, for the arrival of Christ.
Are you ready to learn and lean in? Here we go!
Each Sunday in Advent (November 27 up to Christmas Eve) I will send out a simple newsletter with these elements:
A reading to ponder.
A scripture to contemplate.
A wild and wondrous walk to connect.
Opportunity to share on the discussion thread to process.
Activities involving creation care to engage.
All of these activities are meant to help slow us down and pay attention to the world around us, letting the particular guide us to a deeper communion with God. Perhaps then, we may just relearn how to wait in wonderous anticipation for hope to come this Advent season.
Resources & Notes
Hi friends! I am thrilled that you are joining me on this Advent journey. Here are a few key resources that I may refer to in this series.
Books:
Podcasts:
Discussion
Let’s warm up our discussion thread! Please share with us your name, where you are from and a favorite outdoor spot.
Advent is such a precious time but it feels like a time of waiting for me personally. Thinking about yay Jesus was born but how long they waited for a savior and than to wait even longer for Him to grow up. It is almost disappointing to say He has come because now they have to wait and unsure of how long they must wait.
Hi! Liz from Kansas and my fav outdoor spot is at my family land in the country that has been in our family for several generations.
Thanks for creating this space!