Have you ever stopped to look back at the past seven days and realized that those days seemed more like a month? I just experienced that kind of week.

It began with a challenging family project, an enjoyable football game, and a 20-hr round trip drive to attend an unexpected family funeral. That was just the first four days! The week continued with a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, enjoyable family time, and is concluding with us watching over our grand-dog for a few days. Then this morning my sleepy self awoke to the sight of four Christmas storage tubs, realizing that the two “D’s” await me – dusting and decorating! Where is my vitamin bottle?

However, my morning devotion reminded me that today is the first Sunday of Advent – a time of awaiting my Savior’s birth. Wikipedia defines this season as “a Christian season of preparation for the nativity of Christ at Christmas . . . with the name meaning coming or arrival.”

In all the busyness of the coming days, I want to stop and remember why this is such an important season. Emmanuel – God With Us – is coming! No shopping, decorating, baking or gathering is as important as that fact.

So as that first candle is lit today in many homes and services, I will choose to reflect on the true meaning of this time. God loved us so much that He sent His own Son to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful man. I am thankful for this wonderful gift and will make room in my heart to include Jesus in the days ahead.

(wikipedia image)