Not Too Late To Start Advent (Plus a Christmas Video from our Family)
The mailman kicks through the knee-high snowdrift to deliver the package to the front door.
His words meet Iowa air in crisp puffs. “I’ll need you to sign for this,” he says, pressing a pen into my hand.
Ink freezes, but I scratch through, etching a name on paper.
Could this be the package I’d been waiting for?
I looked at the return address: Canada …
Yes, this was it.
“Thank you, Stan,” I say through the gap in the door, handing the mailman his pen. “And, uh … sorry about the drifts there. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you, too.” He waves gloved hand, turns back through the snow-drift.
I shut the door, rip into bubble wrap. I smell linseed oil first — even before I see the curved wood. I run hands along red oak, sanded smooth by a craftsman, a Canada boy named Caleb.
My “Way of Light Advent Wreath” had come.
Advent began Nov. 28. But I know, it’s not too late to start the lighting of a candle. The Messiah’s very Way is the Way of Light. His timing is always good and perfect.
For some of you, Advent is unfamiliar. Or maybe all that you recall of Advent is this: that the pink and purple candles were lit, and that your mama made you wear your stiff Sunday dress and shiny black shoes, because your family would march up to the front to light candles while the congregation sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
But Advent is more.
It’s much more.
It’s every bit
the waiting by the door,
The signing of the name to claim a gift as your own,
The unwrapping,
(and the knowing what’s inside, even before you can see!)
Because Advent is The Way of Light …
And It’s all Because of Jesus.
Someone is coming …
To learn more about the Advent wreath, designed by Ann Voskamp’s son, click here.
For a list of Advent posts that have inspired me this year, you may click here and scroll to the bottom.
Also, today, we share a little video-gift with you. I’ve snapped some photos down this country lane, and out my kitchen window, and a few here in our Lee home. A friend, Angie, took some photos of our Sunday School children, all dressed up for Jesus.
So here it is … for you …
And for The Christ Child.
Participating with Ann’s Walk With Him Wednesday series.
"His timing is always good and perfect."
So thankful it's not too late to turn our eyes to the Lord… This is an encouraging post in many ways. Thank you.
Beautiful!
Hey, wait a minute…do I see some candle wax falling on your *kitchen table*??
http://www.thehighcalling.org/family/long-term-memory
🙂
And thank Heaven for Stan being willing to navigate snow drifts to bring you beauty!
annkroeker.com
Ha! Yes, Ann, in fact that is candle wax on THE kitchen table. Adds to the beauty, don't you think?
Funny this is, when I first uploaded that photo I thought to myself: "If anybody notices the wax on the table, it will be Ann Kroeker!"
Good eye, my friend. 😉
I've not heard of this beautiful song! I love it. I would really like to learn more about Advent. It's not something that I grew up with. What a beautiful advent wreath~!
That song.
Your pictures.
Perfect and beautiful.
This is one of the moments I want to savor this season. So beautiful Jennifer – every bit of it.
Funny – I first discovered Audrey Assad a few months ago (maybe after Laity Lodge) and just this week someone told me about Winter Storm but I hadn't checked it out yet. Today was the perfect time – a snowy day in Virginia. Love your photos, love your heart for Him.
Ann, did you see those blue Advent candles???