What are We Waiting For?

Papa Rich and Cadence, Christmas Day, 2009
Prepare Him Room–it’s Advent!
We’ve hung lights on the eaves and set out nativities. Stockings hang from our mantel. Garland loops in swags from the banister rail, tied in place with festive red bows. A bit of mistletoe dangles above the entry hall. We’re choosing gifts and planning family gatherings.
Christmas is coming. And that means Advent is here. We are waiting and preparing.
I’ve found a wonderful devotional guide for Advent that I hope you’ll enjoy. It’s written by Reverend Dr. Mark D. Roberts and published on BeliefNet.com. It’s helped me to sidestep the the trap of holiday trappings. If I’m in a quandry over which roll of giftwrap is more chic, I’m losing focus. 
Practicing Advent reminds me that we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of Christ’s birth, the greatest gift humanity has ever received.
Contemplating our Savior’s arrival on earth as an infant knocks the bustle right out of me.
It calms my heart during this busy season. It keeps me fixed on love, not stuff.

13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey.
Isaiah 7:13-15 (NLT)