souldare

“O Lord, you alone are my hope; I’ve trusted you from childhood.” (Psalm 71:5 TLB)

As Advent arrived this past Sunday, I set my heart to think about my journey with this season. I didn’t really learn about the practice of observing Advent until I was an adult. My husband and I wanted to include a spiritual focus to our celebrations, and as a young couple we started the tradition of lighting candles and reading Scriptures related to the season. We carried this through with our young family. When the boys were old enough, they seemed most interested in blowing the candles out. Some friends recommended a book that included readings and activities to do with your children. The boys and my husband humored me and did the activities and answered the questions. I know sometimes it was boring and probably not their thing, but as we all grew up, it was a tradition we held onto right through their teen years. One year, I remember we each took a turn coming up with the topic for the devotion. Fond memories. Each year was different.

One year I noticed that the word, adventure, included the word advent. After that the tone of my advent devotions took on a new wonder and energy. This year as I contemplated how I might observe advent, I got out my dictionary to see what the definition said about it. The first ones mention the church observance, but the one that caught my attention was the entry for the verb form of advent.

It means a coming into being or use, such as the advent of a new season. And that set my heart to wondering what might come into being this season, as I choose REST. What kind of uses will become part of my observance this year? I set up candles. I found a book that I like to read during this season. And I made an art journal to chronicle my journey visually and with words.

I was going to make a list of 25 words to contemplate each day up to Christmas. I didn’t get to it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make one now. My idea was to gather a list of words or phases that speak of rest to me.

So as I write this post, I will add them here as an invitation for you to find rest in these words this season. Look up their definitions. Write about them. Doodle around them. Create a collage. Take a photo that reminds you of the word. Or just sit with them and enjoy.

Here’s the list:

1. Stay
2. Repose
3. Put your feet up
4. Calm
5. Tranquility
6. Nap
7. Peaceful
8. Unhurried
9. Stillness
10. Quiet
11. Rejuvenate
12. Relax
13. Silence
14. Leisure
15. Take a break
16. Slumber
17. Take it easy
18. Carefree
19. Interlude
20. Respite
21. Intermission
22. Unwind
23. Respite
24. Pause
25. Partake

What do you hope will come into being or use this season?