Last year, I took part in my own little “28 Days of Advent” adventure, (http://28daysofadvent.blogspot.com.) Each day, I performed an act of Peace, Hope, Joy, or Love. Then I wrote about it. It was so fulfilling, often fun, and sometimes a lot of work. But it opened me up to the presence of Christ in our midst.
Here was my plan for this year: after taking time off from writing for the two weeks between Thanksgiving and Advent I would jump right into my second annual “28 Days of Advent.”
Then I got sick, with an ear-plugging, coughing, runny nose cold. And I got busy. Too busy. Busy with Chuck and his new kitty (https://www.gofundme.com/chuck-needs-a-new-kitty ), busy planning my dad’s 90th birthday party, and busy arranging the Highland Holiday Book Fair. Throw in a few speaking gigs, and along comes another cold. Which turns into a sinus infection. Then I moved on to a Norovirus. Look it up. It is as unpleasant as it sounds. I am exhausted, physically and emotionally.
So, here I am, limping into Advent. My body is telling me to take a break. Get back to exercising, walking, napping, reading, meditating. Back to connecting with friends whom I have been neglecting because of my busy schedule. As my friend Carol says, “You’ve done enough good works to last you for a long while.” And she is right; I do deserve a break and I can stop feeling guilty about it.
So, this year’s Advent activity is rest. And more rest. Instead of doing an Advent activity every day, I am not doing much of anything every day. What better way to await the coming of Christ than to be fully healthy (fingers crossed), refreshed spiritually and mentally? Fully ready for the coming of the newborn King.
Look for me in January! And have a very Merry Christmas.
In the meantime, here are 3 verses to contemplate:
“Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.” - (Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, ELW, 254).
“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest”. - Hebrews 4:9-11
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.” - Psalm 37:7