On Waiting
Encouragement and a blessing for the beginning of Advent
We put our Christmas tree up on November 6 this year. That is the earliest we have ever pulled any of the Christmas decorations out of storage. I want to say, “in my defense” as I tell you this story, but that only enforces the false idea that there are rules about when it is, or isn’t appropriate to haul out one’s Christmas decorations—rules which in fact, do not actually exist—so I will simply finish my story by telling you that the Christmas accoutermént made an early appearance in my family room the day before my oldest’s 19th birthday, because he was getting giddy about Christmas decorations, and the girls and I wanted to surprise him.
In the past, I have held more restrictive views in regards to the timing of holiday decorating, but in these post 2020 days, I cannot be bothered with such matters. Whatever that mechanism was inside my own heart, remains a casualty of the pandemic. If it brings joy, and it is truly harmless to another living soul, then I say have at it. As we are all more acutely aware, life is brief, unpredictable, and can change in an instant.
As I write this now, it occurs to me that the release of the latest edition of my Advent book might have subconsciously encouraged me on in our decorating, but I cannot say for sure. (Grin)
Speaking of that Advent book, someone asked me why bother to re-work it and release it again all these years later, and the answer is two-fold; first, this current Gift Edition is closer to the original vision for this book all along. As someone who has experience publishing independently, I have learned a great deal through trial and error (mostly error) over the years since that first edition, and found myself in a position now, with new skills, tools and dreams, that I lacked back in 2015.
Second, for nearly two years I found writing nearly impossible. I talked about that on a recent podcast interview, but essentially, while working my way through a season of grief and healing, I turned more to visual art than to writing. I have lots more to say on this but for today, I want to simply encourage you to consider other creative outlets when your go-to feels too hard. You’re not finished forever. No need to be dramatic about it—just give yourself room to NOT do the thing you always seem to do.
Wait and see what happens.
Advent begins on Sunday, November 27. This season is my second favorite of the church calendar. As we count down the days until Christmas, Advent is punctuated by the weight of waiting. Advent invites us to move slowly through the season, even as the mad, mad world races to check off the calendar appointments that roll in without end. It’s a challenging season to move slowly. The waiting will refine us, if we let it do its work.
And I suppose that’s what I’m taking up all of this space to say—let Advent do its work in your heart this season. Let the weight of longing be a space where you can be restored, enlarged and refined. Let the promise of the newness of being re-created in the image of Jesus bring hope to your heart. Lord knows it isn’t easy. For some of us, Advent will be spent face-down, hands too weary to lift in prayer. But the good news is that Jesus comes to us just the same. The Light of the World always comes into the dark.
In our awakening, we see that God has been doing "things we did not look for" all along (Isaiah 64:3). He has always been acting "for those who wait for Him" (Isaiah 64:4).
Odds & Ends
The Winter Issue of Cultivating is live. As always, this issue is a feast. I wrote about God’s faithfulness in the face of my unreliability. I commend Tresta Payne’s article to you as well, and Kimberly Ireton’s. Really, it would be time well spent to curl up with a mug of something warm and read the whole issue.
My friend C.S. Fritz recently launched a new podcast and he and his co-host, Brook, generously invited me to join them. We had a good time and only barely scratched the surface.
Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting (Gift edition) is available! This special edition includes some artistic flair as well as a link to the audio edition (free!). It’s not too late to jump in and read this during Advent.
I am currently running a giveaway for ONE signed copy of CLJ on Instagram. You can enter here. Giveaway closes on Sunday night.
There are just 4 rooms remaining for my spring Refine {the retreat}. This would make an excellent gift, or future gift for yourself.
Light the candles, friends. Sit in the quiet. Let the love of God surround you these days, wherever you are.
Thank you Kris. As usual, your words are rich and encouraging.