Happy December, everyone! It is officially the holiday season! Before we know it, Christmas will have come and gone, the New Year will be here, and we’ll all be focusing on those resolutions and goals we set for ourselves. While those things are great, I want to encourage everyone to enjoy the present and all that comes with this season. It can be a whirlwind: baking, shopping, parties, and time spent with your loved ones. Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season that we forget why we’re actually doing it: Jesus!

The Season of Advent has officially begun, and I want to take some time to talk about what exactly that means. The word “advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” We spend the entire season preparing to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, and the anticipation of the return of Christ in his Second Advent. To know more of the details, click here.

Advent is so much more than celebrating an event in history. It’s a time to be present. It’s a time to create space to prepare your heart for the Lord, now and when He comes again. Below are some ways to reset, take a breather, and remind yourself that while, yes, Christmas is a time to spend with family, enjoy your favorite treats, and give back to show your love, it’s more importantly a time to give praise and glory to God for sending His son, Jesus, to save us from our sins.

  1. Several weeks ago, I wrote about being thankful during the holiday season. I encourage you to go back, print out the gratitude pdf I created, and start writing down and verbalizing the things you’re thankful for during this Advent Season.
  2. Create space in your day to get in the Word and spend time with the Lord.
  3. Start your day off with a prayer of thanksgiving. Thank the Lord for all that He’s done for you and all that He will do.
  4. Tell your friends and family you’re thankful for them. So often we assume our loved ones know how we feel about them, but there’s nothing like a sweet reminder at an unexpected time to really touch someone’s heart.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be focusing on the season and all that comes with it. I encourage you that even when things get busy and hectic, continue to seek the Lord and give Him praise for all that He’s done and all that this season means.