Prepare the Way: Embracing the Stillness of Advent
“A voice cries out: in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:3)
When I think of December, preparation is at the heart of what comes to mind. The Advent season seems to always involve meticulous planning to get as much as possible done between the 1st and 24th of December.
At the same time, the realization hits that this is the end of the calendar year, creating an additional pressure to make the final days of each year as vibrant and memorable as possible.
It constantly seems like there are never enough days or hours to get things done. There is not enough energy to accomplish the never-ending list of “mandatory” holiday tasks. When it becomes clear I do not have infinite time and energy, I try to let my wallet speak for me, purchasing gifts that I hope show my deep appreciation, but more often than not just end up hurting the allotted budget.
This busyness, pressure to please, and long list of obligations are not what Advent or Christmas are about. Each Advent, I am hopeful that I will be able to take time to be still and sit with our Lord, learning from him in this quiet season leading up to the celebration of his Incarnation. Each year I quickly get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays once December 1st hits.
I am determined to make this year different. Among all the challenges the year has brought, it has also provided an environment for me to go deeper in prayer and my relationships, and it has freed me from the long list of obligations that had become my constant companion. 2020 has been a challenge, but the simplicity I have found amid hardship has been beautiful.
It is this spirit of simplicity that I hope to emulate in an intentional way during this liturgical season of waiting. Christmas is beautiful, joyous, and hope-filled, but just as much beauty can be found in waiting purposefully throughout the Advent season.
Each Advent, we hear the story of St. John the Baptist, living simply in the desert and preaching about the coming of the Lord. It strikes me that it is not the loud voice of a crowd preparing the way, but a single voice in the desert. So often I think we numb ourselves with the busyness and noise in our daily lives, and then question why we do not hear the Lord’s voice.
He is calling each of us into the desert. A place we may meet Him with little distraction. A place where appearances are not important, only the willingness of our hearts. It is there we may hear the Lord’s voice clearly and let it ripple through our lives.
This Advent, I hope to lean into this desert mentality, embracing the darkness and stillness of the approaching winter, trusting that the quiet voice of the Lord will guide me to deeper knowledge and deeper love of Him. I hope to do this through living presently in the small, everyday moments, recognizing my encounters with God in my interactions with others, and most of all, in carving out daily periods of silence and stillness to encounter the Lord and rest in His presence.
May we prepare this Advent with great anticipation, embracing the stillness of the waiting, knowing the great joy that is to come in our celebration of the Incarnation. We are readying ourselves to receive Christ, the greatest gift of all.
Meet Lexie Wasinger
Lexie is a 20-something Kansas native who recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest! She is currently pursuing an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and working as a parish apprentice in the Archdiocese of Portland! She has a heart for ministry and loves walking with young women and teens through their faith journeys! When not working, she can be found having spontaneous dance parties, attempting new recipes, or watching one of her sports teams in action! Celebrating anything and everything in her girlfriend's lives with a margarita in hand is her favorite place to be! God Bless and Go Irish! Connect with her on Instagram @heylexiekay.