Advent Tradition: A Solitary Place

READ: LUKE 5:16; EPHESIANS 3:14-21; HEBREWS 4:14-16

I was determined to bring meaningful traditions into our family when I was a young mother. During the season of Advent, many Christians remember how Jesus came the first time, and how He will one day come again. So we made a little Advent wreath and decked it out with four candles, one for each of the four Sundays in Advent. And, on each of those four Sundays before Christmas, I’d make some fancy biscuits or scones and serve tea and sandwiches while we read from Scripture, lit the candle of the week, and sang some Advent songs. We did this for years. Some years we were super busy, and so we observed our Advent tradition in a rush. Some years it was like, Maybe we can get to it before bed, once everyone is back home from whatever they’re all involved in! Christmas is a busy time of year, after all.

But do you know what I’ve found to be a better tradition? One I can always find time for? One that doesn’t even need special sandwiches and scones? One that feels less hectic, and more authentic, more real? It’s prayer. It’s invitation. It’s inclusion. It’s a solitary moment, with my Creator and Redeemer and Friend.

We can take a moment, throughout the Advent season, to stop and sit with Jesus. Prayer takes us, wherever we are, into the very throne room of God! Because once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have full access to God—we can talk to Him anytime, anywhere. We can take time to invite Him into our jam-packed days, right into the middle of this jam-packed season. That’s what makes Advent real. The real you, closing your eyes and focusing on the real Christ, come into the world out of so much love we just can’t comprehend it. The real you, treasuring the real baby in the manger. The real you, looking forward to His return. • Kristen Merrill

• Jesus is God the Son, and while He lived on earth, He often went away from others, alone, to spend time with the Father in prayer. Such fellowship they had! Did you know that God invites us to join in that fellowship? (John 17:20-21) Have you ever thought about prayer this way?

• God is so happy to hear from His children. Hearing your voice brings Him joy! He loves you so much that Jesus died for you. And then He rose again so you could be forgiven and be in close relationship with Him— forever. Consider taking some time to pray (with your eyes open or closed, it’s up to you) and treasure some moments with Him, this Advent and beyond.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)