— Advent Devotionals, Devotionals, Five Minute Friday —

Searching For Abundance in the Season of Advent

I am stuffed.

My body is beyond content to the point of belly laughs that hurt and an extra three pounds on the scale. The jeans feel tighter, and taste buds are happy. A nap by the fireside as a sporting event plays on the television soothe the abundance into digestion and eases the mind from the frantics of a holiday.

In all the jolly making and turkey eating in America, we sometimes neglect to attend to our souls. We run around prepping and pruning so that our homes are welcoming awhile our bodies are fatigued. The happiness meter seems to hit a high, but something is always missing and depletes us faster than all the merry making fills us.

Before the next go-go-go of sale shopping, trimming the halls, and singing carols, the few minutes of rest plummet our beings into a restless status instead of a fullness of joy. The hope that is ahead in the Advent season seems distant and almost unattainable.

Matthew 11:28-29 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Rest, it is something that we forget to do while we are in a period of trying to do more, be more, and celebrate harder. Reflecting on what Advent is all about should cause us to pause and take in the meaning of what the season is all about. We should be waiting with an overflow of hope in the second advent that is to soon knock at our doors.

Our expectant hearts should be riding on our sleeves more than any ugly sweater or holiday attire should ever be. Advent should be on the forefront of our thoughts all days, and with a watchful attitude in all seasons.

We should be waiting with an overflow of hope in the second advent that is to soon knock at our door. Click To Tweet

James 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

And in the waiting, and in the course of merriment making, let us find grace. Embrace it as we quiet ourselves in knowing that He has come and will return. Rest in this season instead of trying to out-do our previous holidays. Find stillness in the joy of our Lord. Make merry in the truth of the baby in the manger who hung on the tree to bring us hope for our eternities.

6 thoughts on “Searching For Abundance in the Season of Advent”

  1. Beautiful post. I love the theme of your blog. May I ask which one you use? I’m on the wordpress platform.
    I needed this reminder to rest amidst the advent of Christmas. Thank you!
    Jenn, FMF

  2. This is exactly what I’ve been sensing this Christmas season too. It really is about resting and waiting with joy and anticipation for Jesus. And what a precious gift that is. Thanks for sharing xx

  3. This was such an encouraging and much needed read for me. Many of those exact things have been on my own heart lately (and I just published a post last night on this very thing too! lol) Keep being a light for Christ! He is using you.

  5. Facing, now the Advent season,
    and yearly rebirth of hope,
    one fights against secular reason,
    and how can one ever cope?
    They say all’s found in making merry,
    for the grave comes when we die.
    He’s not coming, did not tarry,
    and the Gospel is a lie.
    But there’s something deep within,
    a rebel spirit, faithful now
    to find the way for grace to win
    even when we don’t know how,
    You’ll find me fallen, facing forward,
    for I’d rather die for my Lord.

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