Advent: Slowing down on purpose

This Sunday is the beginning of Advent.

It's a season of preparation. Of expectation. Of contemplation.

Each season, I make an effort to make the weeks before Christmas meaningful. Most often, I fail.

But after reading Addie Zierman's great post with an idea for creating an Advent journal, as well as offering several books to help, I'm motivated to try again.

Here's my own thoughts on handling Advent:

1. Slow down, on purpose.

Sometimes we're encouraged to slow down. Take in easy. Smell the roses, One day at a time. Be in the moment.

I'm not discouraging any of these actions. But sometimes I think they miss the point, which is: To slow down in order to come to a sharper focus.

Being purposeful isn't the same as being aware.

The whole idea is to set yourself up to realize that...

2. Preparation is the key.

A good stand-up comedian tells good jokes. Good comedians realize that the set-up is actually more important that the punch line. Comedians who tell funny stories make them funny because they take the time to set up the story.

So the pay off actually comes from the set up, not the punch line.

Take a look at the stories that Jesus told. He was a great story teller because his preparation was strong. He helped his audience...

3. Pay attention.

This may seem contradictory to #1, but it isn't.

Being purposeful sets the stage for paying attention.

In the morning and evening I practice centering prayer. It's a very simple form of mediation during which time I sit down, close my eyes, ask God to cover me, and then focus on one aspect of God's character. (I focus on God as Abba, or Father). So, I spend about 25 minutes breathing in and breathing out slowly, each time I breath in, I say the word "Abba" silently.

It's a way to purposefully approach God and pay attention. And it helps sharpen my spiritual focus for the day.

4. Look for the little things.

Already there is Christmas music playing at the local supermarket. The Christmas decorations have been up for at least a week.

In Western culture, there's a rush to the Christmas season that is the direct antithesis of Advent. And much of it distracts from what we're supposed to be looking forward to in the first place.

Looking for the little things during Advent helps to keep the distractions at bay. 

Little things, like the absolute peace on a child's face while they're worshiping in your home church. The selah moments, in between worship songs, that are golden opportunities to bring your heart before God and have a spirit-to-spirit encounter. Giving a hug to a friend as you realize how much they mean to you. Pausing to smile and say hello to the Salvation Army volunteer running the giving kettle before putting in your donation.

All these little moments help prepare our souls for commemorating the gift of our Savior's birth.

5. Give thanks.

Ann Voskamp wrote the book on this subject. (It's called A Thousand Gifts). 

Her basic point is to develop a lifestyle of giving thanks by actively looking for things to be thankful for. 

It's sort of an extension of #4, but with the intent of being mindfully thankful.

There are tons of reasons to be thankful. It puts you in a positive frame of mind. It's an extremely healthy thing to do. And it feeds (strengthens) your soul.

Advent presents a perfect opportunity to practice giving thanks. 

Voskamp suggests keeping a journal to track the things you're thankful for. 

No matter how you decide to celebrate Advent, I pray that you'll take advantage of this golden opportunity to prepare your heart for the coming of God's Son.

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