2nd Week of Advent

Yesterday marked the beginning of the second week of Advent. There are a few traditions about what each candle in Advent stands for, but last week we lit the Prophet's Candle--hope. Yesterday we lit the Bethlehem Candles--prepare. Our culture tells us to prepare by going to the mall. John the Baptist told us to prepare by making sure our hearts were right with God. Our culture tells us to prepare by becoming busy (shopping, baking, going to parties, concerts, pageants--well, you know the routine). God beacons us to prepare by slowing down, reflecting on His love as evidenced by the coming of His Son, and making sure we have room for the coming Messiah.

I struggle with preparing--in some ways it takes more effort to slow down than it does to go with the flow of the busyness of the season. But if I want to be a part of what Christmas is truly about, prepare I must.