Advent, it's a conspiracy

Ah, that was a catchy title.

I have a few advent thoughts to share. Instead of trying to cleverly weave them together here they are as a list:

Inspiration

Our family is a part of a local Advent Conspiracy to worship fully, spend less, give more, love all. I am super excited and a little freaked out about what we're doing. It's a surprise, well not really, but I'll tell you all about it in another post.

Expectation

Loving this quote by Frederick Buechner that my friend Marty posted on his blog:

The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.

The Salvation Army Santa Claus clangs his bell. The side-walks are so crowded you can hardly move. Exhaust fumes are the chief fragrance in the air, and everybody is as bundled up against any sense of what all the fuss is really about as they are bundled up against the wind chill factor.

But if you concentrate just for an instant, far off in the deeps of you somewhere you can feel the beating of your heart. For all its madness and lostness, not to mention your own, you can hear the world itself holding its breath.

I'm in a season right now of holding my breath spiritually and creatively. An advent, an anticipation and expectation.

Conversation

Brienne (my 6 year old) says "Mom, can you write Christmas cards for my snowman? I want them to say 'Happy Christmas, hope you get lots of good presents'"

I get out the paper, start writing and respond "Hum..is that what Christmas is all about? Getting lots of good presents?"

Brienne, with an of course not tone in her voice "It's about Jesus giving birth!!"

There you have it folks, the first Sunday of Advent. Don't forget I'm hosting Sharing the Season until Friday, Dec 5th.