Something joy-filled this way comes...

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation before Christmas Day.
Today we will decorate our Christmas tree. We will pull out ornaments and memories of Christmases past.
We will share our dreams and hopes for this Christmas and new year soon to begin.
We will prepare our hearts and minds and our home for the coming of the Lord. Again. Afresh.
May He come again with joy. With peace. With hope. With comfort. With presence. With love.

Something healing and joy-filled and beautiful and colorful and quiet and grace-filled this way comes.
No, not something, but rather Someone.

I love this time of year. Not because of the presents that we give one another. Not because of the special songs that are sung for only one month out of the year. Not because my birthday falls within the next two weeks. Not because of the abundance of chocolate mint drinks and candies that appear at this time of year. Although I thoroughly enjoy all those things.

I love this time of year because just as the days are getting darker and shorter and colder, hope dawns again. The brightness of the moon these past few nights has reminded me that, simply by lifting my eyes to the hills or to the horizon, I can see the light that appears and illumines the darkest times and places. I love this time of year because that tiny baby born in Bethlehem many moons ago grew up to become the One whose Story stirs my soul to life and hope every morning and sends me off to gentle, peaceful, restorative sleep every night.

Even though there is so much that is meant to distract us from that story, even though there is so much ridicule aimed at those of us who still believe that story, even though there has been so much suffering inflicted on billions of people all around the world in the name of the man that tiny baby grew up to be, I still believe that He is the Prince of Peace, The Healer, The One who Comforts those who Mourn.

So later this morning, my husband, my daughter and I will forego the Sunday sermon at church in order to decorate our Christmas tree. We will tell stories and listen to Christmas music and give thanks and praise for that tiny baby in that tiny manger in that tiny town. And we will open our hearts and minds and hands and spirits to welcome that Special Someone, that love-obsessed, peace-loving, joy-filled Someone that this way comes.