It is such an honor to be part of our Advent days here in Seekerville... a time of waiting, of anticipation, of work, joy and play and prayer... and a time of preparation! Preparing the way, much like John the Baptist did.
What is Advent? Great question! Advent is the first season of the Christian church liturgical year, starting with the first four Sundays before Christmas. It's a soul-searching time. A helping others time. A happy time, filled with all kinds of things. The idea of waiting for a good thing to happen... learning patience... being patient... these are the things of a maturing mind and a blossoming civilization. We use an Advent Wreath on the table to remind us of the waiting... One new candle is lighted each Sunday... And the tiny lights show our anticipation of the Savior's birth!
The other thing we do now is have Mary and Joseph "travel" the dining room on their journey to Bethlehem. I'll do that with Finn and Lena this year as we learn about Baby Jesus's birthday. Again, that sweet element of anticipation (much like we build in our books...) is a huge catalyst to making even the simplest Christmas special.
We've become accustomed to instant gratification. We want our TVs to turn on when we hit a button. If they hesitate, we get snarky! And if the computer spins while connecting, we stare at it like we've been insulted by 2010 Internet! :)
We expect our car to run. We expect our phone to get and give calls, to search the web, to contact people on voice command, to order food (and pay for it!) and to amuse us when we're required to wait for anything.
We have made ourselves dependent on technology and gadgets! Oh, silly us!
I love the prayers of Advent. The image of Mary and Joseph, carrying such an emotional and physical load in their travels... and then in life. Imagine, for the few moments of these beautiful songs, being Mary...
Mary, Did You Know?
Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
The evening prayer, also called "vespers". The songs of preparation aren't the joy-filled celebratory songs we sing on Christmas! The Advent hymns speak of waiting... of cold... of darkness. They seek forgiveness and peace. They touch the sorrowed soul and the waiting heart.
This beautiful video by the Notre Dame Folk Group with "What Child is This?/Child of the Poor" is so beautifully done to reflect the real meaning of Christmas. VIDEO HERE
Christmas is a beautiful celebration of love but it wouldn't be nearly as dear to me if I didn't quietly observe that time of waiting and reconciliation. The time of hope and forgiveness. The time of grace, freely given.
I think the best Christmas stories come from that season of waiting. The quiet hope. The joy of anticipation. Those are the stories that touch my heart. The "Saint Maybes"... "Christmas in Conway" "It's a Wonderful Life" and so many more.
Christmas-- and writing about Christmas and holidays and soul-searing moments-- isn't about the date, the calendar or the celebration. It's about the climb. The walk. The road less traveled, and the emotion that drives those choices.
Ever wonder why some Christmas stories fall flat?
No depth. No emotion. No grip-your-heart joy when the Grinch's heart grows THREE SIZES in the space of a few minutes.
Advent is that walk for us a humans, and your story line is that walk for readers. You are preparing the way, just like John the Baptist did.... only you're doing a literary roadway. It can be a wilderness or it can be old-fashioned dirt-and-gravel... or a red clay road... or a paved highway.
Consider the emotion of the moment with every step of that path and your Christmas story will thank you for it. And so will your readers.
Now, on a lighter note, I've got a couple of real feel-good stories here... and chocolate.... for one lucky winner! Leave a comment on the blog, anything about Christmas... Advent... Preparation.... Joy! Or yes, even sorrow because when we've lost someone to anger or death or divorce that's a painful wound when the rest of the world is going around with "Merry Christmas" on their lips. (Scrooge, Dickens, "A Christmas Carol")
Here's the prize pack, darlings!
And Merry Christmas to you!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hi Ruth:
ReplyDeleteIf I had not known in advance I would have thought your post was describing Lent. I never looked at Advent is such a way. I still remember Advent as the time when we put an Advent Calendar on the refrigerator and opened each date box to read the message inside. It was a way to make the waiting easier. I hope next year I can get one of those calendars.
Loved your choice of "Breath of Heaven". I don't know if I've ever heard a more beautiful song that was in free verse. What a wonderful job Amy Grant did of singing. Thanks.
Vince
Vince, I love "Breath of Heaven", too... such a poignant song. So perfect. We have a wonderful cantor in our choir who would sing this on Christmas Eve and it put the entire church into the proper mindset of how rugged and scary and awesome this must have been. So beautiful.
DeleteYou know, growing up I never had an Advent calendar. First we were poor.... Second, Advent was a meditative time. So the secular side of me has always enjoyed the stringing of lights and decorations and songs and joy... But I never want to forget the struggles that ensued for so many then... and so many now.
I love the "quiet" of the preparation. I see Lent as more an examination of conscience while Advent is preparing the way... You know how crazy we mothers are, getting ready for a new baby! That's December's gift to us. Preparation for a new baby... a new chance.
So are you ready for Christmas, my friend? What's going on in Oklahoma, Vince???? How is Linda????
I fixed my rafflecopter link ALL BY MYSELF! While everyone (the normal people!) were sleeping, I figured it out.
ReplyDeleteEXTRA EGGNOG FOR ALL!!!!!!
You rule, Ruthy!
DeleteI enjoy the quiet time in the morning...with coffee and the lights on the tree. These days are dark, busy.exhausting. However, the Lord gives us the strength we need to get through them and even see gentle blessings throughout each day.
ReplyDeleteKaren! I'm so glad you stopped in, sweet lady! I love your words... "These days are dark, busy, exhausting." Yes... and when you live in the north, you really feel that, don't you? But oh, the strength of the Lord! And those gentle blessings. Aren't they marvelous?
DeleteBeautifully said, my friend! Thank you for the gentle reminder, Ruthy, to pause and remember. Anticipate.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so hard sometimes for us to just STOP for 15 or 10 or even only 5 minutes each day to enter into our Heavenly Father's presence? What are we doing that we think is so much MORE important?
I love your Mary & Joseph "journeying" for the grandkids.
Glynna, thank you! And I agree, we tend to let so much else take precedence... when God is the precedent! Go God!!!!!
DeleteHi Ruthy! Book mail arrived yesterday, thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about us being an "instant" society, we are not a very patient people or good at waiting. I love all the Christmas music.
Merry Christmas to you Ruthy and to all of Seekerville!
Tracey, thanks for stopping in and I'm glad the book got there! Yay! And I hope you love Jace and Melonie's story... I sure did. :)
DeleteChristmas music soothes me and puts me in the right frame of mind... and I throw some carols in there, too. They're so cheerful!
Ruthy, you made a meme!!!!!!! All by yourself????? Does that mean that my services are no longer required? ;)
ReplyDeleteI love Advent. Our church gives out an Advent & Christmas Daily Reflections book and I love starting each day by reading it in the morning, sitting by the Christmas tree with its pretty lights (all 600 of them), and the precious ornaments that are so special to our family.
And then my kids wake up and the quiet moments are few & far between, but I am so blessed to have these crazy little people with me every day.
You know better than that... Erica made the memes for EACH OF US this month. SHE ROCKED IT! :) I'm okay with knowing my talents and lack thereof!!!
DeleteI love those devotional moments. And the quiet times. And I may have made more sponge candy today, so I will have made many family members SO HAPPY!!!! :)
Hi Ruthy! Jace and Melonie are waiting for me at home and here I am at work. Thanks a bunch! My church is doing the advent candles, my husband and I will light the one on Christmas Eve. I'm so excited and honored to do that. I am really enjoying the the original readings that go with advent candle-lighting vs. the pre-printed ones that sort of lose their significance in the big words and church-ese, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteFinn and Lena and the rest of them are so lucky to have you for a grandmother!
Oh, Cindy, I know just what you mean. It's a lovely sense of anticipation and joy and being part of the waiting. I expect some folks would find that odd to say, but it's not... there's such reward in patience. Although I am not always patient!
DeleteGod knows that about me!
I hope you love Jace and Melonie's story... I loved writing it and it's such a kick in the head when what we thought was our time, our family, our heritage turns out to be not that way at all...
Living a lie... and then reconciling reality.
Let me know what you think!
Hello Ruthy! Have a blessed Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caryl! You, too!!!
DeleteHey, Ruthy -- I totally agree with Vince when he said, "I never looked at Advent is such a way." BEAUTIFUL perspective, my friend, and one that changes my vision of what Advent truly should be.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas one and all, and may each day of Advent draw us closer to the manger.
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
Julie, I think it was being loved and advised by so many Sisters of St. Joseph in Rochester, NY that taught me to take Advent like this... to see the real Mary and Joseph, not the modern depiction. The wonder and the sorrow and the choices... oh my stars.
DeleteI'm so glad you came by and doubly glad that we had so many of us back here for Advent/Christmas this year! Seekers unite!!!
Thank you, Ruthy. My heart grows three sizes every time I read one of Seekerville's Advent posts.
ReplyDeleteThis is a time of transition for me, as the extended family spreads out and life changes. For me, Advent comes to mean more as "Christmas," with the gifts, the food and the family, fades into memory. As the holiday stuff, even the good parts, become memory, I'm drawing closer to Him and celebrating His coming more fully. This world shall pass away.
But not before my pub date, I hope. Submitted my second book to Pelican, part of my "Western Dreams" series, and managed to fine-tune my Genesis story for a couple of agent requests. The Genesis story is a Christmas story, a romance with a strong women's fiction element and a bit of mystery, and it's such a blessing to be working on it in December! No coincidence there. As I "work" my H&H's situation, I'm applying things I've become aware of this Advent season, and I think that's given it a depth I couldn't muster on my own.
In His Amazing Love,
Kathy Bailey
Kathy, I do that as well. I take what life is handing me or handing others and I mold that into the story because it's an influence and the combination of influences deepens a story. So very true!
DeleteAnd we understand transitions around here! We move forward and we keep on keepin' on, my friend!
AND I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!
Ruth, I also love "Breath of Heaven" and "Mary Did You Know." They are modern classics.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Heartfelt hymns and just so beautiful!
DeleteThere are actually two Christmases, the one the world celebrates which is full of bad taste ("Gramma got run over by a reindeer," pooping plastic polar bears) and the Christian Christmas, in which we give gifts to people because we love them and not to prove anything, have the "Kneeling Santa," have a birthday cake for Jesus and watch the little kids in their pageants. I've celebrated the Christian Christmas most of my adult life. We didn't even have Santa when our kids were growing up, we told them Mommy and Daddy gave them presents because we loved them. We tried to keep the focus on Him. But Advent goes even deeper than the Christian Christmas. Advent is what we'll have when we've outlived everyone and are alone in the nursing home. Advent is what people imprisoned for their faith have. Advent is what we'll have when the trappings of this world, even the good ones, are no more.
ReplyDeleteBecause He came.
Oh, that is absolutely beautiful, Kathy.
DeleteI have an advent calendar made of felt that portrays Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. Each day you move them a little closer. At the bottom is the manger scene where you can put them in the stable and bring out Baby Jesus in the manger.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and than hasn't changed even though it is hard this year.
One of my dearest friends left Saturday to spend Christmas with her family. She was sick before she left but they went any way. When she got to her sister's she did not recognize anyone and ended up being taken to the hospital by ambulance. They are still running tests and not sure what it is but she is very ill and I am wondering if we will lose her. Please pray for Kathy and her family.
We missed church Sunday due to the snowstorm. I can't wait for church tonight. Then next Sunday I get to tell the story again to the preschoolers and helping them act out the Christmas story.
The Lord is good.
What a sweet Advent calendar! I love it, Wilani! I'm so sorry about your friend. Life can be a frail existence, sweet Wilani. God bless you and Kathy.
DeleteHi Ruthy, My favorite Christmas song is Mary Did You Know. I just melt when I hear that song. I love Christmas time. smile. I'm at our house in Flagstaff right now and there is snow. Goodness I don't know what to do in all that white stuff. It sure is pretty.
ReplyDeleteSandra, you know I love snow until February 14... and then I want spring. Spring doesn't come up here until April 14th, and that may be generous. So those two months I'm a little witchy!!! :)
DeleteHow fun to be in Flagstaff for the holidays, though. It is so picturesque! I love it!
I never knew exactly what Advent was until now! I love the waiting and anticipation and preparation for Christmas. It's a special time filled with a special spirit.
ReplyDeletePut my name in for your giveaway please! :)
Will do, Miss Heidi! And it is such a special time, isn't it? I love it!!!
DeleteI also love how much more we know, love and appreciate as we gain a few years.
Wisdom. Soooo under-rated!
Thanks for the reminder! Put my name in the hat please!
ReplyDeleteMindy, hi! Will do, tucking your name into the candy dish now.
DeleteI love the way you put things, Ruthy. I had been wanting to know more about advent, as it's something we've never celebrated and I had heard more about it this year. That's beautiful. It's like in the scene of the book where we KNOW he's going to kiss the girl, and we sort of hold our breath until it happens, because it's definitely worth the wait. In our house, my four-year-old asks every day if it's Christmas yet or not, even though she can see on our "advent" tree, that there are still more ornaments to hang. I've always been excited during this season, but I've got nothing on my daughter. :a)
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely love to win the giveaway.
Amy, first, thank you! :) You made me smile. And I love talking about Advent and Lent, those thoughtful and thought-provoking times of year when we look more deeply into our hearts and souls and our relationship with God. I used to be so caught up in shopping and wrapping and making it PERFECT.... I was kind of dumb.
DeleteSince I've looked at the soul of the holy season more carefully, it's like THE BEST EVER.
Absolutely.
And you know how much I love little kids and big kids. Aren't we so blessed?
Hi Ruthy! I so love your writing! Mary Did You Know? is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for sharing the links, my friend.
ReplyDeleteMeg, hey! So good to see you here! And you are welcome AND I'm tucking your name into the Christmas Candy Dish... I miss seeing you, my friend!
DeleteLovely, Ruthy!
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate the seasons of the liturgical year and the daily scripture readings that touch our hearts. As you mentioned, each Advent, the church year begins anew, leading us first to Christmas and then eventually to Lent as we walk with Christ to His Passion. I draw comfort from the mountain top experiences, like the Transfiguration, as well as the sorrowful moments, such as standing with Mary at the foot of the Cross.
You mentioned in your comment to Vince about the woman preparing for the birth of her child being somewhat like Advent. As you may know, my son was born on Christmas, and I experienced that Advent of Preparation. That year, so long ago, we lived the Nativity in a very real way.
Happy Second Week in Advent and blessings to all!
Mary has always amazed me, Debby. Even more once I became a mother because there were hints of what was to come. What had to come to fulfill the word... the promise... and for a young woman to trust that deeply and then stay by Christ's side throughout... oh my soul, I am so inspired by that. When life gets hard, I picture Mary at that cross. When things go horribly wrong, I think of her seeking an errant twelve-year-old, feeling her child was lost... When life turns on us, I picture her, walking alongside, through the crowd, wanting so desperately to save her son and being absolutely unable to do so.
DeleteThere's a motherhood bond that is so very strong.... and her example is what helps me be a good mom/grandma most of the time!
Ruthy, my trip to Post office was VERY good...can't wait to read Jace & M. story! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family have a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Jackie, I hope you love it! I loved writing it... and Jace... oh my stars, he's such a great hero. And Melonie is one tough Southern belle Steel Magnolia. She stands her ground.... :)
DeleteI love, love, love this story!
Wonderful post, Ruthy. I like the time of reflection, especially at night when all lights are off but the tree and I am listening to soft Christmas music.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me for the drawing!
Sandy, you evoke such a beautiful image... yes. Reflection and contemplation and joy and prayer. I am entering you!
DeleteHi Ruth, Thank you so much for your thoughts on Advent! I love the traveling Mary and Joseph idea (way better than Elf on the Shelf...). And those songs...stirs my heart! I performed Breath of Heaven the Christmas I was pregnant with my twins - a challenging performance considering they were squishing my lungs and pushing up my diaphram lol -but seriously, I really can`t imagine what Mary had been going through. I appreciate your thoughts on the road map for Christmas stories. (Lee-Ann B)
ReplyDeleteLee-Ann, that would be challenging... for the breath support and the circumstances, the empathy with another young mother. Bless you, I would love to have heard that.
DeleteYa' know, when it's real estate you hear "Location, location, location..."
When it's storytelling, I say it's "Emotion, emotion, emotion..."
If we're willing to ride the roller coaster with our readers, it's an amazing trip. I'm so glad you anonymously stopped by, Lee-Ann! :)
I love this, Ruthy. Thanks for the beautiful explanation and for sharing your feelings about Christmas. I love reading the posts on Seekerville. You're all so amazing! Hugs to you all!
ReplyDeleteOh, Winnie, we love you too! Merry Christmas!
DeleteGreat post. Advent is anticipation and hope. We have a service at noon and 7 pm. On each Wednesday. Without Christmas there would be no Easter!
ReplyDeleteI like the Christmas Carol version with Alistair Simm.
Blessings. I’m Paula Shreckhise paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet ( google doesn’t like me today)
Paula! I'm so glad you came over here, welcome! And Google/Blogger is having issues with so many folks. Perhaps a bit of Scrooge-ness????
DeleteI love that you do the two services on Wednesdays. First, that's nice for people who work nights or evenings... and second, I love those reminders of Advent. Of being still and waiting for something so good to happen!
I'm tucking your name into the candy dish!
Good morning Ruth, I'm a day late in commenting but I love this post! We've never done anything "formal" for Advent at our house. I love the idea of waiting and preparing our hearts to celebrate this holy season. Of the whole reason Christmas exists. If Jesus didn't come there wouldn't be a reason, would there?
ReplyDeleteI saw on Facebook where you talked about having Mary & Joseph "travel" around your house and I think that's a wonderful and fun way to teach your grands the anticipation of His birth. How clever :-) It's important to raise up the next generation in the truth of why Christ came to earth and how He came to be in the first place, through the divine hand of God! We're teaching our almost 5 year old grand-girl that as well. She even told us the other day "Santa isn't real, but Jesus is". It really helps that we are able to take her to church with us and that she will be participating in the kids program this Sunday. I'm so glad God placed us and you in the lives of our grands, what a wonderful opportunity to help raise the next generation to love & serve God!
I would love to be in the draw for your prize, thank you so much! Christmas stories are a highlight for the Christmas season :-) Merry Christmas to you and yours, may the light of Christ shine brighter in your hearts!
Trixi, thank you so much! I'm tucking you in right now and I totally agree. It's fun to pass on the spiritual traditions of faith, hope and love to kids and not just the secular side of what used to be "holy days"... and can still be if we grown ups do our part!
DeleteSo glad you're here today... we don't mind a day late or two... that's why we stop back to chat!
Hi Ruthy, thanks for a beautiful post. I grew up in church but I honestly can't remember my church talking about Advent. It is just the last 10 years that I've learned about and learned to appreciate Advent. During these years I have shared several children's sermons with the youth so that they will grow up appreciating the anticipation, the wait and the joy. They will truly understand The Reason for the Season!
ReplyDeleteConnie, growing up Catholic, Advent was a beautiful time of preparation in our school. Helping others, doing kindnesses, helping the poor, reaching out to the lowly. I was surrounded by the sweet wisdom of the Sisters of St. Joseph and they had such big hearts and led us in the ways of faith... and the work of our hands. I've always felt the two were tied together in me, a real "St. James" kind of mindset and I'm okay with that.
DeleteI love that you've shared sermons with the youth, deepening the appreciation. And the anticipation! A little waiting is good for us! It heartens us and makes us stronger. I think too much instant gratification makes us whinier and less able to handle adversity because we aren't used to being patient... taking a breath... so how refreshing to have a whole month where we can do that!!!
Yes, I would love to be in your drawing.
ReplyDeleteGotcha! I just came over here to see if I missed any latecomers! I'm happy to tuck you into the candy dish, Miss Kenya!!!! :)
Delete