MAKING ROOM
Introduction
In the early church, Advent was a season of fasting and prayer, very similar to the season of Lent. It was a time of stillness and preparation, in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
The Advent wreath is a simple practice of this anticipation, the light gradually building toward the arrival of the Light of the World on Christmas Day.
The four Advent candles—Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace— also build on each other. Hope remains that Love will come for us, causing Joy to spread and Peace to fill our lives.
We long for these blessings, but perhaps this Advent we can experience them anew by turning our hearts and eyes toward the old spiritual practices of the saints who have walked the path ahead of us. We can lament to make room for hope, practice Sabbath to make room for love, ponder in our hearts (contemplation) to make room for joy, and practice gratitude to make room for peace.
Jesus is coming!
Let us prepare a place for Him!