“Do not be anxious…”
By Jan Drymon
I’ve never been a big Advent girl. I always jumped straight from Thanksgiving into the hurry, scurry, “gitter’ done” process of “making Christmas” for my family. I’m sure many can relate: I paused to be thankful for my many blessings on one day only to move into a holiday hurriedness of tree trimming, gift buying and party going the next. Cookies baked, gifts wrapped, POP musical attended – I checked all the boxes for a successful holiday season. But when Christmas arrived, it seemed rather a letdown. I was tired and I had missed the point completely.
But I made a change this year. After experiencing some personal turmoil in my life, I committed to taking time each day to “do Advent” by using the Keeping the Holy in the Holidays reading plan. Advent is a time to seek God. To lay before Him our struggles, fears, and faults – which He already knows – and to share our joys, achievements and dreams as we prepare for Jesus’ arrival in a manger and His second coming. Advent is a time of spiritual renewal. A time to find peace and clarity. And I’m finding that with the use of this reading plan, this renewal is embedding itself in all the areas of my being as I spend quality time with God each day.
One November morning the reading was Philippians 4:4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I read this verse three times – as prescribed in the lectio divina practice of digging deeper into the meaning of scripture – I focused on four words: “Do not be anxious…” I repeated this in prayer throughout the day when I was unhappy or overwhelmed. Each time, I felt the “peace of God” as defined in the verses surround me. What a gift and blessing to me in those moments.
Keeping my Advent momentum rolling, I attended Pastor Claire’s Praying through the Holidays workshop last Sunday. She shared several forms of meditation that can prepare me to enter into my quiet time with God, and to help me listen (not just talk) and hear Him. Now, before I begin my reading, I get still and quiet (not always easy) and repeat “Give me peace, O God” over and over for several minutes. These words, matched with my breathing, bring a sense of calm before I come to God in prayer.
Finding spiritual renewal through the season of Advent has been a refreshing change to my holiday ritual. I look forward each morning to my quiet time with God … and I think He’s enjoying this time with me, as well.
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Photo by: AlicePopkorn on Flickr