Shannon S. McKee

musings and moments

Anticipating Advent {Some Suggestions}

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It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the last month of 2017! For me, it’s been a tiring year. Emotionally, spiritually, physically. I just feel weary. I’m not saying it’s been a bad year because God is always doing profound, meaningful things and I see His hand working it for my best. But, He has been upending some things in my life, throwing some challenges into my path, and just generally digging around a bit in my heart.

So, as I head into this holiday season, I’m looking forward to being intentional about the Advent season and trying to coax my heart into a posture of restful anticipation. The Advent season is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ first coming – His birth that we celebrate at Christmas. The word Advent is a version of the Latin word meaning “coming”. Some churches who keep to a more liturgical calendar will celebrate with formal traditions. At Redemption Chapel, we are more casual with only a few church-wide observances.

But, that doesn’t mean we’re not all preparing our hearts for worshipping Christ! The headlong rush of the tasks and extras that seem to come with this time of the year can make it difficult to pause. But, it’s so important. To that end, I wanted to offer up some of my favorite resources. Each day during December, I like to light a candle, put on worshipful Christmas music, boil up a pot of tea, and cozy up under my Christmas quilt as I read one of these – ideally in the morning before things get busy. (Ideally.)

Watch for the Light

This is an old favorite for me – it’s not a Bible study where you’ll get in the Word a ton but a book with great reflections from great theological writers. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong with essays and poems from people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Madeleine L’Engle, Martin Luther, and  Henri Nouwen. There are 40 days worth of deep, sometimes jarring reflections.

The Greatest Gift

This one will get you in the Word a bit more and is traces the beautiful love story of Jesus’ coming. Beginning with Jesse, the father of David, The Greatest Gift retraces the epic pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, with each day’s reading pointing to the coming promise of Christ. It’s well-done and worshipful. BONUS if you have a young family, she’s done a companion book for doing it with your children.

She Reads Truth Advent 2017

She Reads Truth is a favorite of mine when I’m not in a Bible study with women from church. Honestly, it’s a little bit pricier than I prefer but it really is beautiful and so well thought-thru. This book intentionally includes the Joy to the World: Advent 2017 reading plan only, with a written introduction and many other helpful elements throughout. Because God’s Word is living and active, the focus of these books is the scripture – not a reflection by a human author. However, written responses to each day’s reading can be found on SheReadsTruth.com and the She Reads Truth app. You can join the community of other women who are online – for further commentary and conversation via the website. As a bonus, they have other helpful tools and kid-friendly options on their site. Also, shipping is free for all Advent orders now through November 16th!

I hope that helps give you a few ideas for your devotional life as you prepare your heart and mind for worshiping our beautiful Savior… He is truly “better” than anything we think we need/want. After studying Hebrews this Fall, my eyes will view the Christmas season with an added reverence and awe.

Taking Time for Preparation and Reflection

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Today is the first day of Lent. I’ve never been part of a church that stuck to a strict liturgical calendar and I’ve never fasted from anything for the 40 days of Lent. But, I can appreciate the benefit of some of the reminders like Ash Wednesday and I certainly want to prepare my heart for the greatest earthly celebration of all celebrations – Resurrection Sunday. I’ll be using the next 40 days as time for additional pause and reflection. As God, in His sovereignty, would have it, Lent comes at a perfect time for me in life. I am in a season of longing and brokenness so this steady march toward the cross and the prayerful reflection on the beauty of Christ’s profound work is exactly what I need right now.

Each year, I try different approaches to this time. Last year, I was exhausted, distracted, and barely prepared for the Easter season at all. So, there’s no surefire, magical potion or legalistic regulation about how you have to use this time. In fact, there is no Biblical mandate at all about how you observe the next 40 days. The point is His grace toward us in Christ – not any ritual or sacrifice that WE can make for Him. As if He needs anything from us. He did the work already – ours is simply to respond to Him.

But, if your response to Him means you’d like to do something during this time, you can join me in doing the She Reads Truth Lenten Study, You Are Mine – it’s a study through the book of Isaiah. You can do it online for free or download the app for a few dollars. I ordered the book this time because I really am a pen and paper sort of gal. Plus, the design is pretty and that wins some bonus points in my heart. {wink}

This morning’s reading is still rattling around in my heart as I consider the heavy cost that accompanies sin and rebellion. And, yet… white as snow. He washes us. White as the new fallen snow. Breathtaking. I am in awe.

p.s. – if you go to my church and are already studying the book of Mark with 200 other amazing women on Monday nights, please finish strong there. (It is, after all, a book about Jesus and His work on the Cross!) You can do what I am doing and do two studies for a few weeks; or you can wait and start preparing your heart for Easter after that study is over in a couple more weeks. Remember, there’s nothing magical about it being 40 days. Do what will help you walk more intimately with your Savior and Lord. Isn’t freedom great?