Hearth and Home Advent

Is it possible we could be preparing for the arrival of the savior? Many of us have a tendency to wait until the last moment to unpack the Advent season decorations. I know without an ounce of reservation that procrastination is not a season in our calendars, but in our minds. So how might we change that? I’m not proposing new ideas, but new actions. (And I pray that my wife never reads this article and holds me to the things I am proposing.)

I’m imagining a room-by-room approach to Advent. Let’s start with my favorite room in the house: the kitchen. I don’t need to say why it’s my favorite room in our home…(food). Yes, I am a foodie and I make no apologies about that. What I suggest is that because food is such an important necessity for all of us, we should see how we can help support the many organizations that help people with food insecurity. We have a long relationship with organizations like CHUM and Lutheran World Relief. Set aside a donation to support these organizations. If you don’t know how, visit their websites (chumduluth.org and lwr.org) or just ask. I will direct your gift to the correct people in charge.

Advent Living Room

What does an Advent living room look like? Probably has food in it, right? Don’t let me digress here. Yes, it has food of course, but it has people in it. Conversations and shared time together; that is so special. I suggest opening your home to friends and family or even someone who is going through a difficult time. Share conversations, a croissant, a donut, a chocolate chip cookie…you get my meaning. Open a place in your Advent to get together with people.

Advent Dining Room

Then there’s the dining room. I know what you’re thinking, I want you to find more time for food, right? (Well maybe, but that’s not where I am going here. Surprise!) Often at night when our “night owl” kids seem to be at their best, we find time for board games. This involves finding a place to play which usually lands us at the dining room table. As crazy as life is, as stressful as each day can become, a competitive game of Pig Mannia, Five Straight, or Farkle always produces a few good laughs. What possibilities could inviting a few friends over for a game night offer? In this season of Advent, connections are what tell the story best. Anticipation and seizing the moment are good Advent disciplines to develop. So find some friends and play a few games.

Advent…Bedroom?

That last room is the frightening one: the bedroom. I’m sure I am going to hear about this one, but here goes. I don’t think Joan and I are alone here, but we often listen to the news right before we go to sleep. Probably not the best way to close out the day. Far too often the news of what is going on in our world and the Northland are not great sleep-producing stories. So I would suggest first: turn the news off. Maybe even the TV all together. 

Then make a list of those you love or are concerned about. And pray. Prayer can be many things at this moment, formal or informal. It can be a soft conversation lying there together before your heavenly father and telling God what you feel and are concerned about. Tell God your hopes and dreams for those you love and those around our world whom you know are going through difficult times. This Advent can be a time to reignite your faith and prayer life. Enjoy the season and make it work to draw you closer to God, and to those you live your life with.

This is my Advent suggestion for this year: May God bless us, prepare us for the greatest gift ever given to humankind. This article comes early; it might take some getting used to before implementing. Consider trying it out this November and then just continue in December. I know I am never early on these things, so this is a new approach.

Good luck, and as always, God Bless!

Pastor Jeff