And so it begins… Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Sometimes it’s hard amidst the bustle of the holiday season to take time (to MAKE TIME) for Advent-ish activities. While the world swirls with holiday parties, decorations and go-go-go efforts to get our Christmas to-do lists done by December 25^th, Advent is about waiting.

Waiting and making time to prepare our hearts for Christmas, not just our houses.

Here’s the thing about waiting. Not sure about you, but a certain redhead (named Virginia) is not very good in the patience department. Blaming it on her red hair only goes so far!

Waiting – patiently – is not easy. Do you get fidgety waiting in lines at the store? Pull out your phone to keep busy? Ahem.

Here’s another thing about waiting, the fidgety type where we must busy ourselves all the time. If we’re looking at our phones, we may not notice what’s going on around us. We might miss an opportunity to engage with others. A smile can be a gift, especially at this time of year. (Not a creepy smile, a friendly one will do!)

Fidgety waiting also doesn’t leave room for surprises. If we open our eyes & look around, God’s kinda good at sending surprises our way.

Like this gasp-gorgeous tree spotted Friday after Thanksgiving while walking around our town of Williamsburg.

This Advent as we wait and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ I want to challenge you (and myself) to be open to God’s surprises – & opportunities to surprise others with God’s joy.

grace, peace & (joy-filled) surprises

Virginia

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” Henri Nouwen