After pouring my coffee this morning, I sat down to read my Bible and pray and I just sat there. 2020 has been the longest, most exhausting year ever. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but the last two weeks have had me on the ropes. This morning I felt like I was down for the count.

But because I’m a creature of habit, I grabbed my journal and wrote the date at the top of the page… October 5th, 2020.

Something in my brain clicked and I did a couple of quick calculations. Then with a big smile on my face, I proclaimed, “It’s October 5th!”… out loud… to an empty room. Typically, this might be a bit embarrassing, but a) nobody was around and b) it’s 2020 and I have so many more important things weighing on me.

October 5th might just be another day for most people. But for me, it is significant because it is the day that I turn my content creation schedule towards my favorite season of the year: Advent.

And I don’t know if I have ever needed Advent more than I do right now.

Before you get up in arms about me talking about Christmas before Halloween, let me remind you that while Advent sets the stage for Christmas, it is itself completely different.

In fact, to be honest, I’m nervous about the holidays this year because I am anxious that they too, like so many other things in 2020, will lose some of their lusters.

But Advent is something that I can get behind for 2020.

It isn’t about a special day or a commercial season. It’s a tradition.

It’s been recurring every year for 2000 years and it’s survived in the face of every worldly obstacle that has stood in its way. It’s reliable.

And every year, Advent helps us realign our lives in light of the most important event in the history of the world since creation. God with us. Emmanuel. Jesus.

Advent is a new beginning.

In my journal this morning, I wrote:

“God, I need Advent so badly this year. I need the reset. I need the reminder. I need the joy. And I need the hope that comes with this season.”

More than any year before, I need to dwell intentionally during Advent because I need the reminder that God loves me so much that Jesus was sent to be with. When I remember that, I can’t help but remember that I am a beloved son of God that is drowning in an immense and inescapable love.

When I say that out loud, I can’t help but feel peace, hope, and joy.

If you need to feel some hope, peace, or joy today, I hope you will do yourself a favor and proclaim that truth right now.

Finally, in light of everything that this year has held. I need the reset. And by that, I don’t mean that I want things to go back to the way they were in January of this year, but rather I need a cleanse. I need to reflect and grow, but then let go of all of the pain, anxiety, grief, and fear that this year has brought.

This is what I will be focusing on this year for Advent: reflecting on what I’ve learned, growing in the midst of a year that has felt stagnant, letting go of the things that don’t look like Jesus, and resetting myself to be ready for what God has next.

If you want to reset during Advent this year as you prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, join me.

Whether you are a subscriber to my newsletter already or not, I am going to be sending special Advent content to those who sign-up using the form below.

Only 55 days till Advent and I can’t wait!

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55 Days Till...