A Different Advent

I have spent many years letting Advent go by without truly participating in this time of waiting. I'd get out my advent wreath and set up the candles. That is what advent "meant" to me. But I would be so consumed by the holiday season that it would be a few days away from Christmas before I even remembered to light a candle on it.

Not this year.

This year I am being very intentional about making Advent different. I can honestly say that I'm completely not stressed at all about the holiday season. Why? Because I'm choosing not to be. I'm choosing to focus on the things that really matter.

Our decorations are up and we are enjoying them every day. I love to listen to X talk about the ornaments and teach him about the nativity. My "gifts to buy" list is short and purposeful and almost complete. No crowded malls for me! I'm reading Advent devotions every day that are helping me learn more Bible stories. I went to my first ever Christian concert (a Christmas one at that) last weekend. We are making meals for families in need with our church small group this week. We are giving pajamas to kids that don't have any this Christmas. We are driving around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights. And there is a gingerbread house to build with X very soon!

I am not over scheduled. I'm seeing friends. I'm spending fun times with the boys. I'm praying. I'm waiting. I'm not taking things for granted. It's low key. It's quiet (ok, well, maybe not when the boys are awake!)

AND. IT'S. WONDERFUL.

And, ironically, I don't even have an advent wreath this year.When packing up decorations last year I forgot that you don't put candles in the attic. When I opened the box to my wreath this year it was a big candle blob that had melted and re-hardened, and was impossible to save.