baby stepping into advent

some of us are just recovering from thanksgiving, unpacking suitcases or putting away extra dishes, while others are already decorated with the tree up and cookies baking...

i appreciate that we have over a month to prepare room for king jesus. and i'm giving myself permission to go slowly into the season of advent.

regardless of what the tv says...i don't have to scream and run to the UPS store.

and we really don't have to yell and run frantically to Target

by choosing to celebrate advent, we actually have the gift of preparing the way...step by step, little by little, getting ready to receive the baby born in bethlehem.

yesterday, while i was unpacking my suitcase and doing laundry and dishes,  i started listening to my holiday playlist from last year, discovering that i have 8 different versions of  "o come o come emmanuel" and i began reading my advent devotional (actually, thanks to good friends, i have a couple to choose from)

today, i'm heading into napa for an eye appointment, but that gives me a chance to find garland and poinsettias to begin some decorating. and i'm listening to an old favorite by michael card " the promise" to remind me that it's really about preparing for jesus, not just shopping for decorations and gifts.

and today, i need that reminder...i need to remember that our God IS WITH US!

and if God is with us, then who can stand against ? our God is with us EMMANUEL!

and you and i can slowly and joyfully step into advent.