5 ways to prepare your heart and soul for Christmas before December 25
Fox News
These days it feels as if we've been celebrating the Yuletide season since November 1. But before December 25, there's the season of Advent. It's a time for reflection and preparation.
Creating rhythms of rest provides your mind space to reflect on what’s important, to give thanks for all that God has provided, and experience a refreshed and renewed heart as you enter back into the hustle and bustle. Ronnie Martin is a pastor and author of the new book "The God Who Is With Us: 25 Day Devotional For Advent" (B&H Publishing, 2022). Ronnie lives in Ashland, Ohio with his wife Melissa.
Unlike previous generations who waited until after Thanksgiving to trim the tree, hang stockings, put up lights, and transform their homes into a veritable winter wonderland, these days the yuletide season seems to kick off when the clock strikes midnight on November 1st. Which is all well and good, unless you celebrate Advent, which traditionally happens in the four weeks leading up to Christmas.
If you’re not too familiar with Advent, historically it’s a time of anticipating, waiting, and preparing one’s heart for the coming of Christ. In the same way that the Israelites longed for a Messiah to deliver them from their enemies thousands of years ago, Advent reminds the world that God delivered on his promise by sending his Son to redeem the world from its greatest enemy–sin. Unfortunately, this beautiful tradition can become lost as our lives move from event to event in a mad rush of holiday flurry.