Give Presence

This year I've been trying to be more aware of the Advent Season. It always seems like those four weeks prior to Christmas just get lost in the countdown.

Advent is meant to be a time of preparation and waiting--not a solemn, sad kind of waiting, but waiting with anticipation, waiting for Him. Sort of a breathless eagerness. I always think of the song "Something's Coming" from West Side Story....

Could be! Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.

It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose! Who knows?

It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!

Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming,
I don't know what it is,
But it is Gonna be great!

With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when, but it's soon;
Catch the moon, One-handed catch!

Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!

Will it be?
Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!

Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .

Wouldn't it be amazing if we Christians could, for the four weeks prior to Christmas, step back and prepare? I'm not talking about baking and cooking, shopping and cleaning, the frantic-ness that typically is associated with preparing for the holidays. I'm talking about praying and playing, smiling and giving.

You know, really living?

The folks over at The Advent Conspiracy think it would be amazing. Check out this video...

Dearest Lord Jesus,

In the remaining time of the Advent Season, help us live as the Advent Conspiracy says...
by worshiping fully,
spending less
giving more
and most importantly,
loving all.

And may we do these things with hopeful, expectant enthusiasm.