Advent 2020 is upon us, and I don’t know about you, but it’s about time 2020 gives us some good news, even if that good news is not necessarily new news since we revisit this familiar story at this time every year, and even if that good news is not necessarily new news since it has been told for over two millennia.

It may not be new news, but it is the Good News, and that is the best news indeed! The Gospel began with a journey, not just a journey to Bethlehem, but a journey to introduce us to Him — that babe in a manger who would become our Savior invites us into that journey with Him.

Regardless of when you first heard this good news, it is never too early or too late to start waiting in hope by observing Advent. To me, that’s what Advent really is — anticipating the most amazing gift that’s ALREADY BEEN GIVEN. Seems like an oxymoron — waiting for something you already have, but that is exactly why…

Advent is restful anticipating, not stressful waiting.

It’s probably a good thing we revisit this story each year, because I, for one, need the reminder. As a mom of boys, more specifically, as mom of four boys, and now, as mom of four teenage boys, I can assure you that over the years my approach to advent didn’t always invite restful anticipating, but rather incited stressful waiting.

In my attempt to manufacture a meaningful journey to the manger for our family each year, I’d try to find the perfect devotional, the perfect activity, the perfect craft, the perfect resource. Oftentimes, in my search for the perfect Advent experience, I’d forget to search for the Savior, the babe in the manager, perfection Himself. I’d miss the meaning altogether, because I was too busy making it about me and my family, when it is not about me and my family, it’s all about Him and becoming part of His family.

Even still, I am thankful for the years I spent struggling through Advent, because honestly, it was in the struggle the meaning and message came alive in my heart. The struggle refined my motives for teaching my boys the meaning and message. I realized it was better caught than taught. Better lived than learned.

Until Advent invited restful anticipating in my own heart, I would continue to incite stressful waiting in the hearts of others.

So, what does restful anticipating even look like? I’m glad you asked!