Doing Advent

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Good intentions

To"do"Advent properly

To avoid getting caught up in the rush

To take time to contemplate

the miracle of birth

and the miracle of love

But preparation

as an act of love

is exhausting.

Remaining alert

to all the signs 

of God born among us

is challenging

and, quite frankly,

draining.

Rooting for that glimmer of light

in all the darkness of the world

is hard work.

Proclaiming the light

is exhausting .

Advent becomes

a bone wearying

energy sapping slog.

Just like that third trimester

of pregnancy.

Hope is high

But there is still so much anxiety.

And other chores

and other concerns

are not diminished

but heightened

as the days move on.

The need for God

to get here already

trumps everything else

and puts paid

to good intentions

of waiting patiently

and preparing well.

Thankfully, God arrives

ready or not

and the calmness 

we tried to create

is forever disrupted

by God among us.

The calm

AND the storm.