On This First Sunday of Advent 🕯

may you be hushed by the Holy

Advent, derived from the Latin word Adventus, means to come. 

It signifies ‘the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event’. It typically begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and continues until the eve of Christ’s birth on December 24th.

Truthfully, I didn’t even know the true meaning of Advent until about three years ago, having not grown up in a church that follows the liturgical calendar. I’ve learned from my Sacred Ordinary Days planner that Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year where we are invited to remember the many years that the people of God waited for the long-prophesied Messiah.

Advent is an invitation into a season of waiting, expecting, anticipating, hungering, and hoping for the coming Savior; Jesus.

I shared a few words on Instagram this morning that the Lord put on my heart for this first Sunday of Advent, and I feel led to share them with you here today, too. If you’re like I was a few years ago and you’re not familiar with the Advent season but you’d like to gently step into it, or if you’re a seasoned Advent-observer but have a longing to go deeper, I pray these words today would be an invitation to do just that; to reflect inwardly and draw nearer to the Holy One in this season of quiet Advent.

“For to us a child is born, to us, a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭

On this first Sunday of Advent, may you be hushed by the Holy and pay attention to what’s stirring in your soul amidst the silence and stillness that this season invites you into 💛

Read Isaiah 9:6 and focus on the Names of the Savior today; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Which one of those sacred Names speaks to you the most? Why?

What might you need most from God this Advent season? What invitations do you hear Him extending to you?

Take a few moments to pray, ponder, and journal through these questions today or sometime this week and pay attention to what the Holy Spirit brings to the surface of your inner life.

If you’d like to, feel free to click the ‘leave a comment’ button below to share with me how I can be praying for you this Advent season or what the Lord reveals to you through these questions.

I pray that this Advent season would be an invitation to be still & know the God Who is always drawing near to you.

peace be with you,
celia

Be Still & Know

Tomorrow is the last day to grab a copy of my new Advent eBook devotional, Be Still & Know: Seeking Still Moments in God’s Presence this Advent Season, at 15% off! You can read more about it here and download your copy: Be Still & Know

Advent Breath Prayer Cards

You can also grab a pack of 10 Advent-themed breath prayer cards to help hush your soul and focus on the Holy One this Advent season. They are also discounted through tomorrow: Advent breath prayer cards