Practical Advent is a daily blog series I’m doing throughout Advent this year. Join me on my blog each day for practical faith tips.

Practical Advent, Day 20

Since childhood, I’ve observed Advent each year. It’s been a wonderful way to build my faith and increase my anticipation of Christmas for all the right reasons. I highly encourage you to observe Advent as well, because it can help you be more intentional in this busy season.

In this Practical Advent blog series, I’ll have the same post format to give you about 10-15 minutes of practical tips for loving God, loving others, and loving yourself during the Advent season.

Praise

Each day of Practical Advent, I’ll share one of my favorite songs to listen to during Advent. Take a moment to praise God while you listen.

Here’s a good one – Joy to the World by For King and Country.

Ponder

Every day of Practical Advent, I’ll share a quote or idea from an Advent book in my collection for you to ponder, along with my thoughts and a few reflection questions.

Today’s quote is from Seeking Joy by Christine Trimpe.

Here’s the quote I’ve chosen to share today:

“I envision Mary being contemplative and careful in her response to this miracle occurring in her life. I imagine her intently storing the details of this event to remember and reflect in the future on this moment of her child’s life. She didn’t have the benefit of scrapbooks and cell phone cameras, but I believe she was blessed with these images to last a lifetime.

Unlike me, Mary’s heart wasn’t positioned to run and hide from the things that kept me in the dark for years: rejection, isolation, humiliation, judgment, comparison, and being the topic of gossip.

[Luke 2:19] speaks volumes of peace in the simple and beautiful description by Luke. Mary keeps all this close in her heart, and that’s what we can emulate. Peace and joy. Calm from the chaos. Reflecting and pondering. Put yourself in that moment, sister. Just breathe and trust; there is no room at the inn for fear.

Be encouraged through the joy we find today in God’s Word. He sent an angel to tell these shepherds, ‘Have no fear; joy is here.’ Surely, He is fulfilling this promise to you today.

In times of uncertainty, remember that God is nearby…He delivers through a great company of heavenly host proclaiming,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’ [Luke 2:14].

May you find true peace and joy as you live, like the shepherds, nearby His Word every day.”

Reflection questions:

1. How does Mary’s contemplative nature inspire you?
2. How may you find more joy and peace by reading God’s Word each day?

Prayer

Today I’m sharing a prayer I wrote for Proverbs 31 Ministries in 2020.

You can read it HERE or by clicking on the photo above.

Pour In

Here are five ultra-practical tips to gain last-minute Christmas peace in the remaining days before Christmas. Read or listen HERE.

Pour Out

This is a call to pray for a hard relationship you’re facing this year. Read THIS POST I wrote for Proverbs 31 Ministries in 2020.

Just for Fun

I recently had lunch with a friend, and this kids’ menu made me smile. I hope it makes you smile today too.

Bonus picture just for fun – I was glad to be in the right place at the right time yesterday to see this beautiful sight!

See all new and/or previous posts in this series on THIS PAGE.

Find all my additional resources for Advent on THIS PAGE.

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