December 1 – Advent is Here

Today is December 1, 2012.  Five years ago, my first year in Zambia, I shared a set of Advent devotions that I had written with friends.   That year, after our arrival in Zambia in July, was a very quiet time for me after my busy, full life in MD had come to an end and we had made the big move to Zambia.  It was a joy for me to spend time writing and thinking about my new life in Zambia and at the same time, the gift of Christmas.

Now, five years later I have a busy, full life in Zambia.  But since I’m not traveling this December, I want to use this Advent season to do more writing and sharing with you my thoughts and what the Lord is saying to me through the Bible, those around me, and the work that is taking place here.

 I grew up with Advent Calendars in our home.  Those are the ones with little windows and you open a window each day through December until the 25^th.    Today I will be passing some out to the children in our Village – one for the boys, and one for the girls in each house.  The children are excited that we will be singing Christmas songs at church.  And there is no school until January 7, so daily activities are different.

To me, personally, celebrating Advent is a time of remembering happy times as a child and as a mother.  I’m reminded to be more thoughtful about the Lord and his incarnation in the world.  Being at the Village of Hope, I also think about how I can do things for and with the children.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Dear Lord, May we see your glory this Advent season – not in shopping malls or fancy decorations, but in the small things around us.  May our hearts experience your glory as we take time to worship you through this month.  Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.