“We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.”

Maya Angelou

This is one of my favorite weeks of the Advent season. We light the rose-colored (pink) candle symbolizing joy for the coming of Christ. It is also known as the Shepard’s Candle as the shepherds received the news of Jesus’ birth from the Angels on High.  (Luke 2: 8-20)

Our Lord is near, and we should rejoice!

That being said, this is a season where you do not always know how to feel. Especially when we have lost loved ones and we mourn their passing, or we become down on our luck and are in survival mode.

For others, it could just be the hectic schedule of Christmas parties and the frantic hustle of shopping and the anxiety of overspending. Many travel, which creates stresses all its own. This is also a time where depression and anxiety are at an all-time high.

This week reminds me to cultivate joy regardless of my circumstances. The Joy candle reminds me that the light of God is ever near me even as the darkness dwells all around me. Joy is often intentional. It is a way of life we can practice and cultivate. Advent offers us the opportunity to engage in practices that deepen our experience and bring us closer to the true meaning of this time of year.

Embracing Stillness and Reflection

One powerful practice for cultivating joy during Advent is embracing stillness and reflection. Our culture demands that we are busy and productive. During the holiday season, our activities usually increase. With these schedules and end-less to-do lists, we often feel a sense of guilt for just sitting and resting. We feel like we “ought to” be doing something. Or we are overwhelmed with all we have to do and zone out and veg out on the TV as a means of escapism.

Yet, taking time to pause and quiet our minds can bring a sense of peace and joy. It can help us reset our frantic bodies and breathe in calm and tranquility. Even quieting down intentionally for five minutes has its physical and psychological benefits.

This can be achieved through meditation, prayer, or simply finding a quiet space to reflect on the blessings in our lives.

For example, here are two Prayers of Reflection:

“Dear God, As the sun rises on this new day, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for the gift of this new day and the opportunity it brings. I pray for your guidance and presence throughout the day ahead. Grant me the wisdom to make good choices, the strength to face challenges, and a heart that overflows with love and kindness. Help me to be a source of positivity and encouragement to those I encounter. May this day be filled with purpose, joy, and blessings. I place it in your loving hands, trusting that you will lead me on the right path. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.“

Above prayer taken from:17 Morning Prayers to Start Every Day With God (christianity.com)

Dear Lord, Help me to surrender all my worries and fears to you. You are my refuge and my strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. You love me. Help me remember to draw close to you. Guide me on how to be filled with gratitude for my blessings instead of being overcome in my negativity.  Thank you for your blessings. Amen.

Engaging in Acts of Kindness

Another way to deepen our experience of Advent is by engaging in acts of kindness. Often, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of Nashville and surrounding communities when I worked at the Nashville Rescue Mission. Donations of food were given to help provide for the homeless and people in recovery. Other people would volunteer to serve food. One Christian group brought purses stuffed with items for a group of women in need. Diapers, wipes and formula would be given to help mothers to care for their babies. Organizations would provide toys to children who were staying at the shelter. Even those volunteers who came to clean and help the facilities often left with smiles on their faces.

Additionally, tornadoes hit the area of Middle Tennessee this month uprooting the lives of many just before Christmas. Please pray for all those impacted in the devastation including the Clarksville, Nashville, Hendersonville, and Gallatin areas.  If you wish to donate, consider here to help: Home – Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee – Nashville, TN (cfmt.org)

As an empath, I have found I can better weather my own darkness by bringing light to others. Whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, helping a neighbor in need, or simply offering a kind word to a stranger, these small acts can bring immense joy to both the giver and the receiver. Advent is a time of giving, and by spreading kindness and love, we can truly embody the spirit of the season.

Creating Meaningful Traditions

Incorporating meaningful traditions into our Advent experience can also bring a sense of joy and connection. I love setting out my Advent wreath and lighting candles each year. Decorating often helps put me into the joyful Christmas spirit, even in the years when I struggle. I also join a class or participate in an Advent study during the season.

Whether it’s lighting the Advent candles each week, reading a daily devotion, or participating in a community service project, The purpose is to find something that is meaningful and brings you joy. Creating these traditions can help us stay grounded in the significance of this season and create lasting memories with loved ones.

Embracing Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to deepen our experience of Advent. Though, I would encourage the practice of gratitude yearlong. Taking a little time each day to acknowledge and give thanks for the blessings in our lives can shift our perspective and fill our hearts with joy.

Whether it’s through journaling, expressing gratitude to others, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around us, gratitude can truly enhance the Advent experience.

For example, here is a short journaling exercise to try.

Find a time of quiet when you won’t be interrupted. Grab paper and pen and take the time to write a list of everything you have to be grateful for in your life. It could be big or small moments. Maybe you appreciated an encouraging word or hug. Now, put down your pen and reflect on your list. Dwell on your moments of gratefulness.  Say a quick prayer of thanks to God.

Another example: Gratitude Meditation | Practice | Greater Good in Action (berkeley.edu)

Self-Care Practices

Last, but certainly not least, it is crucial to practice self-care in the season of Advent. Taking care of yourself is not a selfish act, rather, it is necessary for our overall health. It helps to enhance peace, joy and happiness in our lives. It also helps to better manage stress.  

In the health care field, I have seen caretakers completely depleted because they are focused on helping their loved ones and have no energy left to take care of themselves.

Finding ways to take care of yourself is a lifestyle. I often coached people to watch for the big three: exercise regularly, eat/drink healthier, and foster positive sleep habits.

Self-care can involve simple steps such as taking a relaxing bath or shower, sipping a cup of tea, going outside, gardening, looking at a piece of artwork or icon, crocheting, pampering yourself with a manicure, pedicure, or message, etc. The point is to do something you enjoy and not to make it into a chore. There are times when I sit for meditation, but my mind is too wired to sit still. Instead of belittling myself, I will take a meditative walk instead. Practicing self-compassion is important in any activity too.

Caregivers may benefit from this article: Self-care for the caregiver – Harvard Health

Additional ideas for self-care: 50 Best Self-Care Ideas and Activities for Mental Health (goodhousekeeping.com)

Conclusion

As we navigate the busyness of the holiday season, it’s important to remember the true meaning of Advent and the joy it can bring into our lives. Embrace moments of stillness and reflection. Engage in acts of kindness.  Create and maintain meaningful traditions.  As we journey through the third week of Advent, we can deepen our experience of Advent and cultivate joy that will last far beyond the holiday season.

See my previous post about joy: Joy that Transcends Circumstances: Unlocking the Fruit of the Spirit within You – Thought, Word & Deed (katierea.com)

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