The beginning of a journey is always uncertain but with uncertainty comes hope. ~Lisa Wingate from Tending Roses
The journey begins now. The calendar will soon say December 3. My heart taps slowly, “It’s the life you are living now.” I have already begun, while my heart is still catching up.
Jesus arrived without fanfare two thousand years ago. His birth was THE arrival. The one that the people of the day were waiting for and believed in until He came to earth as a baby. But did they know Him? Do you know Him?
Is Jesus the One? Do You Know Him?
“Can this be the Messiah? Is He the one we have been waiting for?”
John the Baptist recognized Jesus. Elizabeth’s baby leaped for joy in her womb when Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to visit. And Mary was chosen as a young betrothed teenager to carry the Savior of the World.
Each person mentioned above played an integral part in the life of Jesus. They knew Him and loved Him. Their journey began when they recognized the Messiah, in the womb or person.
Few people recognized Jesus but many followed Him and gave up their lives for the love, peace, hope, and joy we recognize as part of the Advent journey.
I wonder if the journey through Advent this year would benefit from embracing slower days and times of solitude. Would that lead us to the hope we are searching for?
What if we embrace Lisa Wingate’s words above and choose the hope that comes from the uncertainty a journey may lead us on?
Let’s Choose Hope
In the place of choosing hope, may we find God in all His glory. His light shines in our darkness and His peace radiates from heaven to earth.
This season of Advent, let’s walk together and allow God to lead us through His Word and truth. May HOPE become the goal we seek and the cry of our souls during one of the busiest seasons. Let’s read the words of Isaiah together as we walk through the wilderness and come out on the other side knowing God’s glory is with us and in us.
The journey of Advent begins now! Are you in? The Journey of Advent Begins Now Share on XJourneying through Advent with peace and hope!
Click HERE for an invitation to hope.
Advent Resources
Here are a few resources I am using this year. So you don’t think I’m crazy for listing so many I am using bits and pieces of each. (affiliate links are included)
Shadow & Light by Tsh Oxenreider
Waiting Here for Hope by Louie Giglio
The Savior’s Story created by Well-Watered Women
She Reads Truth Advent Study, He Alone is Worthy
The Advent Narrative: The Life You Didn’t Know You Were Already Living by Mary Geisen
And for the grandkids: The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book By Sally Lloyd-Jones
Thank you for giving me a new perspective on approaching Christmas. Love the idea of more quiet time and time with God.
Hope you are well.
Miss seeing you.
Let’s meet after the holidays.
❤️
Thank you, Karen! It’s always good to see you here. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Embracing slower days and times of solitude this season of advent season….we do have to be intentional about our practices in our spiritual life since the busyness of life can be so distracting. I’m following along as you help lead on this contemplative journey, Mary…
Thank you, Mary, for encouraging us to choose hope in spite of uncertainty and to slow down and soak in the HOPE of this season. Love and blessings to you!
I’m so glad you stopped by, Trudy! I pray your holidays are a sweet time with family and God. Blessings and hugs to you!
I love the intentional practices of Advent, the hands on and the more contemplative. But I confess to a feeling of being overwhelmed by the struggle to fit it all in. Thanks for peaceful words of hope today.
It can feel overwhelming if we let it. I know for me it was all about a perspective and priority change in where and on whom I was keeping my focus during the holidays I pray you feel peace during the upcoming busyness.
Mary, I so appreciate that you shared your resources with us. I have so been anticipating this Advent season, and am looking forward to reading your words.
I love knowing you are anticipating the season of Advent as I am. I hope one of the resources stands out to you to use in your own journey.
This is your favorite “season” and you are pulling me in with your lovely writing. May we live each day in anticipation of Jesus’s arrival. ❤️
It is my favorite season. I’m so glad you are feeling drawn to Advent like I am. I second that we live each day in anticipation of Jesus’s arrival.