In this week's episode, we reflect on how to prepare for Advent. During this busy season, it is easy to spend more time preparing our home than our hearts and we chat about the need for slowing down, quieting our hearts and surroundings, and becoming attentive to God’s presence in our daily lives. We also share practical ways we prepare and wait for the coming of our Lord at Christmas.

Heather’s One Thing - The songs Holy Forever (YouTube) and The Story I’ll Tell (YouTube)

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The Carmellite Sisters (View their upcoming events here)

Michelle’s One Thing -  The song You Know My Name by Tasha Cobbs and This “Full of Hope” Advent Mug from Blessed is She

 

Announcement:

Our Advent study begins next week! Be sure to subscribe to our weekly email to receive each episode, discussion questions, and videos to your inbox.

 

Journal Questions:

• Ask the Holy Spirit: What do you want me to be present to this season?
• Where do I need hope in my life?
• Where do I lack peace in my life?
• Where do I need joy in my life?
• Where do I need to birth joy in my life?

 

Discussion Questions:

• What practices do you incorporate in Advent to embrace the season of preparation?
• When will you take time for prayer this week and throughout Advent?
• How can you better embrace Advent rather than just tolerate it?
• How can you slow the interior pace of your heart in Advent?

 

Quotes to Ponder:

“The liturgy of Advent…helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present in the events of daily life. Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously.” (St. John Paul II)

 

Scripture for Lectio: 

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)

 

Sponsor - The Little Rose Shop:

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Timestamps:

00:00 - The Little Rose Shop

01:31 - Intro

02:24 - Welcome

04:44 - Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse

05:54 - Stillness

07:20 - Preparing Our Hearts

11:29 - Distractions

14:16 - Intentional and Incarnational

17:25 - Slowing Down

18:57 - Finishing Well

20:16 - Practical Ideas

25:59 - Announcement

27:36 - One Things 

30:08 - Closing Prayer