Guide For A Simple Advent
A simple advent.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
In a world with overflowing inboxes that grow exponentially by the day as Christmas creeps closer, as to-do lists become longer and longer, as all your calendar space fills to the brim with every possible moment scheduled out, the idea of a ‘simple’ advent can feel like the deep exhale of release we crave…
What is a simple advent?
The idea of ‘doing what you can, with what you have, where you’re at’ can apply to many things and, in this case, this is the framework for a simple advent. You don’t ‘need’ anything new; you don’t need a fancy, ‘advent’ specific book or bible study; you don’t ‘need’ a specific notebook or pens; you don’t ‘need’ any new tools or materials. Instead of looking for ‘new’ to satisfy the advent season (especially in a world that tells us the ‘new’ is designed to satisfy in ways nothing else ever has before!), we ask ourselves, ‘what would actually be most soul-nourishing during the season of Advent?’.
‘What would actually be most soul-nourishing during the season of Advent?’
This question, when asked to ourselves authentically, can be revealing about how a simple advent can be as profound as any extravagant advent we’ve had in the past. Often, soul-nourishing rhythms are the things that fit into our days; they’re simple, accessible, joyful, and don’t require any fuss, which allows them to feel steady and doable amidst busy seasons of our lives.
Guide to have a Simple Advent.
Allow this short guide to a simple advent spur on your own ideas to make your advent sweet and meaningful.
1 - Commit your intentional time with God to the season of Advent.
Take the time you already intentionally spend with God and commit it to the season of advent.
2 - Consider what would make it special, while keeping it simple.
A few ideas are below:
Light a candle during your time.
One year, I got a set of 24 birthday cake candles and burned one in a small clay holder I made. Other years, I lit a large candle on each Sunday of advent. The light of a candle is a reminder of light in the darkness— a theme that is often shared during the advent season.
Each theme is a lens.
Each Sunday during advent has a theme to go with it: hope, peace, joy, and love. Imagine this theme as a lens for your time with God. If you’re reading through a book, passages of scripture, or engaging in other spiritual disciplines or practices, invite the theme in: How does the theme show up in your reading or activity? How does your practice invite you to see the theme in a new way? If you like to journal, even writing the theme at the top of each page keeps it top of mind.
Reuse materials.
Is there a study book you’ve enjoyed before? Is there a resource you’ve had tucked away for years? How can you reuse it this advent season? This year, I am reusing advent study books as the books I clip art from for the creative prayer response I’ve been incorporating into my intentional time with God as a way of artfully responding in prayer. It has felt redemptive to use books I spent money on in new ways that align with where I find myself with God as we move through life together.
Lean into what you enjoy.
Do you like poetry? There are free resources online from advent like the work by Gideon Heugh whose advent writings are so refreshing (see Star Murmurs - daily advent readings from 2024 on Substack). Do you like someone who keeps it real? Kate Bowler has advent resources on her substack free for anyone and they can arrive in your inbox daily. Reading something free and digitally available can be a beautiful way to lean into the season. Sarah Bessey and Diana Butler Bass also have substack offerings. We Choose Welcome has an advent resource for those who are passionate about justice, focusing on migration and hope for all. The Ignatian Spirituality Center is going to be bringing daily words for reflection on Instagram if you crave a more contemplative approach to the season. Maybe you want to try writing your own poetry during the season? Or singing Christmas carols each day? These can all be beautiful advent practices that invite you to experience the season with depth and intention that resonate deeply with who God made you to be.
Read a book.
Instead of using an advent-specific book, consider if there’s another faith-related book that might feel nourishing during your time with God that aligns with the themes of advent. There may even be a book on your shelf right now that you haven’t had time to read, or one at the library that is available for you. Read prayerfully, noticing what stirs as you read and connecting with God in prayer.
While advent can feel like a time where the pressure feels abundant to live it a certain way, the best way to lean into advent is in ways where you feel a depth of connection with God, without pressure, and with a soulful response that allow the Spirit to stir in your depths, and where you feel the season come alive.
3 - Let it Be
Life happens. If one day you forget to light your advent candle, let it be. If something unexpected comes up and you miss a day, let it be. If your best laid plans for the season get ‘thrown out the window’ because suddenly you have to start work at 5am (speaking from real-life advent experience here), let it be— adjust, using the same framework for simplicity, and find a new rhythm for the season. God is so full of love and grace. While we put pressure on ourselves to show up in certain ways, God certainly doesn’t. I image God eagerly anticipating and full of joy every moment we become aware of God’s loving presence. Every extended moment of intentional time is full of wholehearted delight. May we imagine that version and idea of God each time we fail to meet our own standards of perfection that God never gave us, but that we put on ourselves.
That’s it! That’s the guide! Short, simple, sweet, delightful, accessible. May your advent be simple, one that stirs your depths, and helps you live out this quote by Henri Nouwen:
“The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.”
Looking for a short reflection to read each Sunday of advent? Lean into simplicity with these Advent Reflections.
