Grace and peace, church family.

Last weekend, my wife and I were able to sneak away for a few days to spend time with our son and daughter-in-law, and our grandson Simon. Sunday evening, we volunteered to babysit, and my wife came prepared for the task. She arrived with a tray of sugar and gingerbread cookies already baked and cut into the shape of stars, candy canes and little houses. In addition to that, she brought bags of icing she had made in every color along with sprinkles. Lots and lots of sprinkles. 

Little Simon went to work decorating like a baker on a mission. The only problem? The sprinkles. He could not resist the sprinkles. Every cookie became a tiny Mount Everest of sugar. And once he finished each sprinkle-covered masterpiece, he wanted to eat it immediately. Every single one.

Honestly, it was a joy to watch. But as I watched, I also thought: Isn’t this how we approach Advent as adults? This is a season full of beauty and anticipation, but in our excitement, if we are not careful, we may try to take in everything at once — every invitation, every responsibility, every opportunity.

The temptation can simply be to sprinkle the season so heavily that we run the risk of not actually savoring it.

In the Gospel of Luke we hear the story of Joseph. Having learned that Mary was already pregnant, Joseph planned to divorce Mary quietly. However, in a dream, the Lord interrupted his fear and uncertainty with a message of reassurance and hope. The angel reminded Joseph not to be afraid because what was conceived in Mary was from the Holy Spirit. And then came the words that would change Joseph’s life – and ours – forever: Immanuel, God with us.

Note: Not God who overwhelms us. Not God who expects us to do everything. But God with us. His presence is the gift, and that presence can only be experienced when we slow down enough to notice Him.

So this Advent, my friends, receive the hope, peace, joy and love found in the season, but maybe leave a little space on the cookie.

Make room for wonder. Make room for Jesus.

My prayer for us all is that we would find the joy, not in how much we pack into the season, but in the simple and breathtaking truth that God is with us and it will always be more than enough.

— Mark