Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Noticing Advent


The Season of Advent is a celebration of the small things. We live in a world in which our focus is on the big, the conspicuous and the newsworthy. The noisy and gregarious grab our attention. Advent is a reminder that the miracles are all around us. We do not wait for some spectacular presentation from God. We take time to appreciate that which we have left un-noticed. We begin to understand that the smallest things are usually the most important representations of hope. What seems to be bigger and better might not actually be so important and are usually just temporary.

It has been demonstrated time and again that God uses the little and insignificant to prove that there are no limits to our lives. There is always the expectation of the wonderful. Advent is a time to not only pay attention to the incredible amount of goodness everywhere, but to expect the announcement of miracles. Watch and listen. We are surrounded by them. The faith in this truth is the foundation of Advent. The longing that we have for deliverance and freedom from want is already answered. Light always overcomes darkness. All that we must do is find a candle.