Let the Advent{ures} Begin

Sometimes the Advent season starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving. After checking the liturgical calendar, I discovered that Advent will not officially start until December 2nd this year.

So I have an extra week to prepare for Advent and so do you.


 
 

In the meantime, I am setting my heart on pilgrimage. 

Our destination is Bethlehem . . . the birth place of Jesus. How will we get there? What will we experience on the way? Who will we become as we journey once again through this sacred narrative?

Come, let’s visit this familiar story with open hearts.

Stay Tuned


The rest of the week, I will be taking a break from blogging in order to celebrate Thanksgiving and prepare for the Advent{ures} ahead. Have a blessed time recalling the goodness of God
in the land of the living.

When I return, let’s go on an Advent{ure} together! I will begin a series for the Advent season called . . .
 
 
 Advent{ures}: Let’s Go to Bethlehem
When: Sunday, November 25 through Sunday, January 6
 
What: Recollections of the Nativity: Before, During and After
 
Where: Right here at Nourishment for the Soul
 
Why: To Renew Our Spirits
 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 2:15 NIV

Thrilling Guest Thursday: Jody Lee Collins

Today, I would like to introduce you to Jody Lee Collins over at Three Way Light. I love her tagline…”reflecting, revealing and shining for God’s glory”

How did I meet Jody? We met out here in the blogosphere. We found out that she and I share a common love for words and their meanings.

She writes poetry, snaps photos and blogs about life…in an ironic twist, after I asked her to be the guest for this Thursday, she started a silent journey to Bethlehem…desiring to learn more about Advent.

She explains why in this post…Six Weeks of Silence (Sort Of)

Now, do not fret, she has a whole year’s worth of archives, so go browse and get to know this word-loving, life-embracing, Jesus-following friend who will brighten your life.

 Click here to read a poem that gives you a glimpse of Jody.

Linking up with:

The Importance of Watching

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

William Cowper

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
(Luke 21:34-36 NIV)

In Luke 21, Jesus gives a discourse on the end of the age, a prophetic word about his second coming. The verses above are his exhortation to us to be ready for his return. The Message’s translation of the warnings of what our hearts can get weighed down with seemed appropriate, especially in light of the conversation about presents yesterday.

It says, “Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping.”

I am not saying to skip any of these holiday traditions, but let’s be aware of how too much of a good thing can dull our senses. I for one want to be fully present when Jesus returns, and I desire to worship Him in wholeness until He does return.

May His blessings spill upon your heads, and fill you very being with His warm embrace.

Give Presence

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,
for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD.
(Psalm 89:15 NLT)

“…worship without an awareness of Christ is impossible…For to behold Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to worship Him.”   -Judson Cornwall

At this time of year I love to think about presents. Not my wish list, but what presents I want to give. To me a tangible gift is an expression of love. Nowadays as the kids in my family are growing up I could make one stop at Walgreen’s and buy a bunch of gift cards. But that is so dissatisfying to me. I enjoy thinking about and finding that one thing that will give the receiver a lift, or say she thought about me.

Another gift that people often overlook is the gift of presence. Since I have been fairly occupied with school this semester, I have missed spending time with my family and friends, so my gifts this year may not come from a store, so much as just some time to be together. Taking a walk, grabbing a cup of coffee, sitting on the couch together watching a Christmas movie…these are the things I long to give this year.

Jesus modeled this gift the best. After all, He is Immanuel! I found a different translation, other than the familiar “God with Us”; it also means “With us is God”. Somehow that phrasing warms my heart.

I wanted to leave you with a website to check out, a pastor friend of ours recommended it, and I think you will enjoy its message and the ideas that lead us to a deeper advent experience. Check out http://www.adventconspiracy.com/

I hope you have many opportunities to give presence this Christmas!