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I am probably one of the worst ‘waiters’ on the planet. I don’t mean a ‘serve the food’ worker, I mean a ‘sit there until it happens’ kind of person. So it’s interesting that I love Advent so much. After all, Advent = waiting.

After thinking about it for a while, I realize that I can be such a good ‘Advent-waiter’ because there’s no drama. I know what I’m waiting for…the coming of Christ. And as I wait in joyful anticipation, I have a choice. There are two ways I can wait; an active way, or a passive way. In other words, I can sit and think about the birth of Christ, or I can get busy imitating him. Honestly, I think a little of both is the best way of all.

Thinking about the birth of Jesus is another way of saying that I’m meditating on the life of Christ. To truly know the Lord, I  have to become familiar with his story. That includes the decision to be born into this world as an infant in the town of Bethlehem.

One of the most dramatic events of Christmas is the scene of the angels announcing the birth to the shepherds. I wonder what thoughts would’ve run through my head if I were a shepherd that night on a lonely, dark hillside. Suddenly, the sky is filled with heavenly angels, singing and praising God. What a sight that must have been!

But in addition to meditating, I want to call myself to action. One of the best ways to bring the life of Jesus to the world is to love it. And not only to love the world God made, but to love the people he created to live in it.

I read an Advent reflection exercise that asked me to make a list of some of the people, places and experiences that I love. After making the list, I was asked to decide which things I loved the most, and why. It was very enlightening.

I saw that I loved the people I listed in part because they loved me too. I loved the experiences on the list because they were fun. Hmmm. I think I found my new Advent goal.

I want to add to my list the people I should love, but find ways not to. The people who demand my time and attention even though I may not appreciate their attitudes. The co-worker who keeps asking the same questions. The family member who always finds fault. I want to adjust my attitude on the things I have to do every day that seem silly or a bother. Like making my bed. Or being patient with that irritating sales call.

This Advent, as I meditate on Jesus’ life and imitate his love, I pray for the grace to meet him as a new creation when Christmas day dawns. I want to come before him shining just a little brighter, as I join with the angels in singing: Emmanuel is with us!

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I’ve written about my husband’s aunt. She lives in an assisted living community and uses a walker and wheelchair to get around these days. She’s 97 years old, a veteran of a broken hip two years ago.

I take her to doctors appointments, lunches, run errands and take her to visit her 90 year old cousin. I don’t mind doing any of it. She’s a really sharp, strong minded woman. Her body is another story.

Since breaking her hip, she’s not as flexible or as strong as she used to be. Getting in and out of my SUV, using a step-stool, is a real concern. Oh, she could get in the car if I helped with her legs and supported her back, but after doing that a few times, her strength is gone. Then trying to guide her into the car while holding her up was really hard. Something had to change.

Fortunately, a friend of mine owns a sedan. She was willing to switch cars with me on ‘doctor days’. Phew! My aunt wouldn’t need to climb up into my car.

Two weeks ago, she set up a lunch date with her cousin and called to let me know. I told her I’d call my friend and see if we could switch cars for that date.

Confirming the date took a few days. My aunt kept calling to see if it was all arranged, and I had to remind her that I’d call her when I knew anything. That did not sit well with her.

“Just use your car. I’ll be good. I know I can do it, I’ll be fine!”

I tried to explain my fear of her falling and her balance and strength issues, but I might as well have been talking to a spoon. “I can do it. Please. Just use your car.” Sigh.

I guess I couldn’t blame her. She really wanted to get out of her apartment and see her cousin. I understood her desire to nail down the date. But what struck me was that this overpowering desire was blinding her good judgement.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

I know that my passion for an extra cookie, another hour of reading late at night, or volunteering for that committee often struggles to sway me. But that passion or desire always deserves a second look. It calls out to be balanced with the extra calories, lost sleep and time away from home that inevitably will happen.

Sometimes desire just isn’t enough. Or isn’t even smart. Like my 97 year old aunt, I might really want something. But it may truly be no good for me, and it might even hurt me.

We did have a happy ending to the car situation. My dad had just given up driving due to failing eyesight, so he said I could use his car anytime I needed it. God is good. (So is my Dad!) But I don’t think I’ll forget the effect that desire has on decision making.

Gotta remember. Take that second look.

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On Sunday, all of our Thanksgiving guests had departed for their homes. Ever so slowly, our house began to make the transformation from the browns, golds and rusts of autumn, to the reds, greens and shining lights of Christmas. The 2014 Season of Advent has begun.

Advent is my favorite time of the year. It’s an interesting mix of activity and reflection. Sunday was a great example of both.

My husband and I hauled the holiday decorations from the attic. I strung the lights on the bushes in front of the house, and along the garage eaves. Back inside, each box I opened released a treasure of memories in all the decorations we save from year to year.

One of the creche sets is especially meaningful. It’s the one that was set up in the den when I was a child. The little donkey now has a broken ear, and the mini-tinsel Christmas trees look a little worse for wear, but I just love it all. I placed the statues under the roof of the manger, minus Jesus of course. He’ll be placed in the scene on Christmas day while we sing the “Happy Birthday” song.

Putting up lights and decorations are a cherished part of the Advent experience. The word Advent comes from the Latin ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. So with each light string and decoration, I remind myself why I’m doing it all.

Jesus is coming.

The Savior of the world is coming as a helpless infant. I want to decorate my house in honor of his coming. I want to show him how much I will celebrate his birthday over 2000 years ago. But I know that all the outer decorations are not enough.

Making my home a place of beauty and peace is a priority, but I want my heart and soul share in that too. Jesus won’t be physically born again this Christmas, but he can be born again in me if I make myself ready. Yes, it’s his birthday. But in his generosity, we can all be gifted with a richer faith experience of him, a closeness to him, a larger share in his life of peace and grace.

So along with attending to the beauty of outside things, I want to do some de-cluttering in my interior life. I know if I do, he’ll come to beautify and fill my ‘inside self’.

I have a book that has daily Advent prayers and reflections. So each morning, I’m going to plug in my Christmas tree, light a candle, and pray in the Lord’s presence. Along with the printed prayers, I’m going to ask him to help me make more room for him in my soul. I want my life to be changed this year by the miracle of his Christmas birth. Through his grace working in me, I want my outside decorations to match my heart.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing…

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