Advent: Holidays or Holy Days?

I spoke about Advent yesterday but I am leaning in even more! By the way, Happy Advent, dear friends! There’s a sweetness in the air this time of year that no scented candle can replicate — a hush, a hope, a holy expectancy drifting right into our homes like a soft winter breeze.

But before we dive too deep into the shopping lists and glittery gift bags, it’s worth pausing to remember what Advent really is.

Advent is a season of expectation. The word comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming.” It’s the four-week journey where we prepare our homes and our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. HOPE wrapped in swaddling cloths. JOY lying in a manger. LOVE made flesh.

Advent is meant to nurture peace and tune our souls to the quiet joy of a Savior who came close enough to be held. And as we make our plans this season, everything we do will either make sense — or become senseless — in relation to this purpose.

If baking cookies helps your heart lean toward Christ, bake your heart out.
If taking long walks in quiet places makes room for peace, lace up your shoes.
If sitting by the Christmas tree in silence or serving someone who’s hurting helps us prepare for Jesus, then let’s give ourselves fully to that.

Yesterday, as we began our own Advent journey, I couldn’t help but remember the years I rushed through December like a woman competing for the Most Festive Christmas House Award. Five bedrooms, five Christmas trees. Outdoor displays that could signal airplanes. It was beautiful — and exhausting.

But Advent whispers something gentler: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:30)

As we drove home from East Texas Sunday night, we saw stars shining across the countryside — modern reminders of the Star that guided wise men across deserts to the home of the Holy Family. And suddenly the shepherds didn’t seem so far away. They, too, were tending flocks on their own acreages of land when heaven touched earth.

This is Advent — Slowing down. Preparing room. Letting Jesus come close. Aw! Sweet heavenly peace is my personal goal — to lean into everything that our Savior brought to us! “You I will keep in peace — whose mind is stayed on Me!” (Isaiah 26:3)

Let’s choose holy days over holidays.
Less hustle, more hush.
Less frenzy, more faith.
Less glitter, more glory.

May Advent transform our days as we prepare for the coming of our King – our Savior and Lord! Oh come, oh come Emmanuel!