Nuts, Beans, and Advent

Advent is in full swing around here!

But what does that look like? Well, there's cocoa and carols and secret gift-making. And baking and wrapping... and calendars and counting!

​But Advent is easy to miss amidst the holiday fun. It can so easily be taken over by presents and To Do Lists. But for me, Advent is about...​

Christmas cocoa is like a little cup of Joy, ain't it?

Focus. Advent is about continually bringing your mind back to the actual Center of the universe. 

Advent is spending a week in wonder over how much Someone must love you to leave heaven for you. Advent is spending another week imagining and embracing the Hope we've been give. Advent is dwelling on verses about His Joy when you are hand mopping the floor. Advent is softly singing carols about the King as lullabies. ​

Advent is our chance to make Christmas about something more than cookies and presents and feasts. Advent does not change those things. Advent changes how you think about those things. Advent makes everything about the King.
​

And the Nuts and Beans? Well...

As you try to shepherd your focus during this sweet and messy season of Christmas, I want to throw one more thought at you...

"Good, as it ripens, becomes continually more different not only from evil, but from other good."
​-C.S. Lewis

I just love that quote. It is a reminder that you, my friend, might be an acorn and I might be a green bean seed. The good work done in your life may bear fruit that looks nothing like mine!

​Both plants serve purpose and meet needs and bear fruit. Both are lovely. Both are good. 

​But they are different. Perhaps your strength is found in structure, but mine may be a bit more sprawling and random. 

God calls Himself a Gardener.  A Potter. He is seriously into OOAK (He would totally do all his shopping at Etsy!) So don't get caught up thinking your life or your Christmas needs to look like anyone else's. Be a little nutty, if that's what kind of fruit you're made to bear. 

And remember: Neither of us has to have a Pinterest Perfect holiday for it to be holy. ​

​Merry Christmas with Love,

For Your Jollification: Two Year Old Tree-Trimming