Preparing for Christmas in Your Heart and Home

Preparing for Christmas during advent shouldn't be that different from preparing for the arrival of a new baby. In today's episode, I reflect on the ways that our Advent waiting mirrors the kind of waiting we do while pregnant and expecting. Here are three simple ways we can focus on preparing for Jesus this Advent season. Clean. When we “nest” while pregnant, we prepare our homes and living spaces to welcome a new baby. While preparing for Jesus during Advent, we can get rid of some of our clutter and clean our homes, but even more importantly, we can clean our hearts and souls for him. We can go to confession, forgive those we need to forgive, and look for ways to let go of anger and resentment over the past. Choose. Just like we must choose what we will buy for a new baby, we need to choose how we will spend our money during Advent. What will we buy and how will it add to (not detract from) our celebration of Jesus during the upcoming Christmas season? We also must choose how we will spend our time. What things will we say “no” to in order to preserve our peace and sanity and really enjoy the upcoming family gatherings and celebrations? Savor. Not every moment of being pregnant is bliss, and neither is the Advent season, but there is peace, beauty, and joy in waiting if we look for it. Look for small moments to soak up the season, relax, pray, and connect with Jesus, even in the midst of the crazy-busy times ahead. *News and Updates: * My newest book, You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth, is available for order! Use the code, GIRLFRIENDS to receive ten percent off your order. Don’t miss out on this special available exclusively to listeners of the Girlfriends podcast. I can’t wait to share this book with you! Upcoming Events: Saturday, January 11, 2020 You’re Worth It Retreat St. Michael Church Exeter, NH February 20-23, 2020 Speaking at Los Angeles Religious Education Congress Anaheim, CA Saturday, March 7, 2020 You’re Worth It Retreat Precious Blood Parish Jasper, IN Saturday, March 28, 2020 Women’s Conference Norwich, CT