Time to Stop, Look and Be Blessed

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. We’re making the trek to Bethlehem and the night that Christ was born. Today, the second Sunday of Advent, the second candle will be lit. I took this photo of the Advent wreath last Sunday. Those of us who have purposed to slow down and breathe in the Reason for this miracle season, are stopping to look for the sights, sounds, and gentle nudges of Father God Who wants, more than anything, for His kids to breathe in the Reason for this season, and then GO — exhale Him to our world that needs His hope, love, joy and peace so very much.

I breathed in my Lord as I resumed my walks this week. I’m so glad I did. I had to bundle up to be in the crisp, cold early morning air, but I was warmed by many of my neighbors’ outdoors’ displays. Those pictured here are just a few. Sure, there are Santas and snowmen and other signs of the season, but I’ll admit that those “faith and promise” displays ignite my passion for this season so much that I stopped to take off my gloves and take these photos. No “harking of angels in the sky” or a “star so bright it caused me to follow it”, but simple, hopeful expressions that Jesus really is the Reason for the season.

I noticed. I stopped. I looked. I was in the moment. And isn’t that what Advent is all about? I believe that is what God wants to pause and even stop thinking about the things we can’t do anything about. And, considering our ongoing election drama, it is such a sweet distraction. The second Advent candle that is lit today represents faith. And, as my blog a couple of days ago spoke of Mary’s complete surrender to trusting in the promises told her by Gabriel, I choose to place my trust in the promises God has given me. Those like:
“Never will I leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)
“For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The first purple candle on the Advent wreath symbolizes hope. It represents the anticipation of the coming Messiah, and because we know He did come…..we can live in great expectation of our Lord’s promises to us that what He starts…He finishes. We can pause to recalibrate our minds and hearts to HOPE in Gabriel’s words to Mary: “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

And, the second purple candle that is lit today represents faith. It reminds us of the faith of Mary and Joseph as they made their way to Bethlehem. Maybe the faith that this 2nd Sunday of Advent represents is why I’m stirred up in faith – that if God loved us so much that He would send His one and only Son to this earth as a baby to be one of us – and we believe it by faith – then ANYTHING we trust and believe God for – IS possible.

I am purposing to being more attentive to STOPPING to give my attention to the sights and sounds during this Advent Season. It will soon be Christmas Day when we celebrate our Lord’s coming as a baby AND His coming back to take us home to live with him throughout all eternity. “Be still and know that I AM God.” Psalm 46:10. STOP and know the baby in the manger is the Great “I AM”!