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Christmas is only a week away. Most of us are caught up in a whirlwind of last-minute activities. We still have shopping to do, cookies to bake, and calendars filled with social engagements. Every spare moment seems consumed by the “must-dos” of the holiday. Have we forgotten to slow down for Advent?

The fourth candle on the Advent wreath represents the love of God for humanity. Speaking of love, today, December seventeenth, just happens to be my forty-eighth anniversary. Today, my wife and I plan to slow down, reflect on our love and life together during these past 48 years, and celebrate the occasion with a delicious meal at a nice restaurant. A wedding anniversary, in many ways, is like Advent. As Christians, we should all slow down, reflect, and prioritize the celebration of Advent in order to fully experience the depth and joy of Christmas. Advent truly is a season of love.

This last week before Christmas is not merely about preparing for festivities but also about preparing the heart. We are still in the Advent Season. There is still time to make room in “the inn of our heart” for the Christ child.

Unfortunately, in modern times, Advent is often overshadowed by the busyness of holiday preparations. The focus shifts to gift-buying, menu planning, and decorating—activities that, while meaningful in their own right, can distract from the essence of the season. However, just as a wedding anniversary allows a couple to pause and reconnect with the love and commitment they share, Advent offers Christians the opportunity to pause and reconnect with the profound mystery of God’s love made manifest in Jesus Christ.

Slowing down during Advent is not merely a recommendation; it is a necessity for the soul. The secular pressures of the season can leave many feeling exhausted and disconnected from the true meaning of Christmas. This is where the wisdom of the liturgical calendar becomes evident. Advent is a deliberate counterbalance to the chaos, urging us to cultivate a spirit of reflection and intentionality. Through practices such as lighting the Advent wreath, daily prayer, and scripture reading, we can focus our minds and hearts on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. These themes are not just abstract ideals; they are the gifts of the Messiah whose coming we await.

Consider how married couples approach important anniversaries. They often set aside time to reflect on their journey together, relive cherished memories, and recommit to their vows. This intentional slowing down deepens their relationship and reminds them of the love that brought them together. Similarly, Advent is a time for all of us to reflect on God’s love for us. It’s a time to remember the profound gift of Christ’s incarnation and renew our commitment to living as His disciples. It is a season of gratitude and anticipation, made richer when embraced with intentionality.

By embracing Advent fully, we can experience a more profound joy at Christmas. Without Advent’s reflective pause, Christmas risks becoming just another holiday—a flurry of activities that fades as quickly as it arrives. However, when Advent is observed, Christmas becomes a culmination of weeks of spiritual preparation. The joy of Christ’s birth is magnified because the heart is ready to receive it. Just as a couple celebrating their anniversary feels a renewed sense of love and connection, Christians who journey through Advent find themselves renewed in their faith and joy.

In a world that often measures success by busyness, the act of slowing down during Advent can feel countercultural. Yet, this slowing down aligns with the very essence of the season. It is a reminder that Christmas is not about what we do, but about what God has done for us. It is not about the gifts we give, but the gift we have received in Christ. Embracing Advent allows us to enter into Christmas with hearts ready to celebrate—not just the birth of a baby in Bethlehem, but the coming of our Savior, the source of true and lasting joy.

One beautiful way to embrace this final week of Advent is to focus on acts of love and kindness. In preparing for Christmas, we can radiate the light of Christ to those around us through generosity and compassion. Who in our lives might need encouragement, a helping hand, or simply a kind word? As we give of ourselves, we are reminded that the greatest gift has already been given—God’s love made manifest in Jesus Christ.

Time flies by so fast. Soon Christmas will be in the rearview mirror. Let’s not miss this opportunity to reflect on God’s love for us.

Heavenly Father, this old world gets really hectic. If I am not careful, my thoughts will be on everything except the birth of your Son. Help me to slow down, take a breath, and reflect on the love you offered me with the gift of Your Son long ago in a stable. Help me to recognize His presence in the world today, and help me to prepare myself for His second coming. And Father, thank you for the gift of my wonderful wife. Amen!

AMDG 

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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