Advent is a time of preparation. A time for excitement to build, a time of anticipation.
But it doesn't have to conform or look like anyone else's.
Comparison is the thief of joy and doing your best and doing what is right in your financial, physical, mental and emotional situation is the most important thing.
It's funny but although Christmas 2020 was a sad time in terms of not being able to spend Christmas with our family and do all the exciting things we would like to do, I actually liked being at home with just CBC (he maybe not so much!) , even though it was not a Christmas I am/was used to.
My Advent is a little different this year.
I am not singing/playing at my usual Carol service today (My old church is doing one later in the park!) but I am going to take part in my new church's carols on the green.
I don't have any of my usual performances this year, but I have said yes to a gig singing in a harmony group at a wine bar in town!
My usual school carol services are not at the usual church I have taken the children to for the past 16 years except for 2020, but I am going to get to go to my old church before I got married instead.
I haven't prepared or bought lots of presents already.
We don't have a tidy house or lots of lovely decorations.
But, the fundamentals of Advent will be there. Preparing for the coming of the Messiah and that is always exciting!
xx