The Advent Virus

I thought this was really cool. I especially like it because we have spent so much time looking at different conditions my son may have and it is worded just like so many ... lol. It was in our church bulletin this past weekend. It didn't have an attribution, so I'm not sure where it came from.

The Advent Virus

The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions, posing a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Some signs and symptoms:

—A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences

—An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment

—A loss of interest in judging others

—A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others

—A loss of interest in conflict

—A loss of the ability to worry (This is a very serious symptom.)

—Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation

—Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature

—Frequent attacks of smiling

—An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen

—An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it

Thoughts To Ponder: Preparing For Christmas

I am reading a book given to me by a woman at church called "Mustard Seeds" by Matthew Kelly. It is a book with little one-line thoughts for the day and many of them are meant to get you thinking.

Anyway, I figured I'd mention ones that stand out to me from time to time. On November 20th, the entry is this:

This Christmas take as much time and care preparing your soul to receive Jesus as you do to prepare food, gifts and your clothes.

How cool is that? What a great challenge..... I know most years I spend so much time running around, getting presents ready and Christmas cards postmarked and trip plans made I can easily lose sight of the reason any of this means anything at all.

This year is a nice break because I threw all (ok most) of my expectations out the window. We decided not to travel and it will just be the four of us on Christmas here. Gifts are simple and we prepared most of them before our second son arrived.

Still, there is so much more I can truly do to prepare my heart and mind for the Christmas season. Every time I look at that entry, it is a reminder for that Christmas is so much more than the festivities and we need to not lost Christ in the Christmas.