advent

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

The advent wreath is one of our favorite advent traditions, one we love sharing with our littles. This evening we darkened the lamps and then lit the first candle on our family's advent wreath. Our devotions went the way of most things at the circus -- a little good listening, a little running around, a little bit of something in between. But the girls loved the candle flickering in the darkness; even the littlest hearts know that there's something about the light coming into the world -- something amazing, something beautiful, something we need.

The first candle on the advent wreath is traditionally known as the prophecy candle. And so we talked of the prophets. And we talked about waiting. And we talked about Jesus.

This advent I hope to see the miracle of Christmas with fresh, four-year-old eyes, to know the excitement my two-year-old feels at the twinkling lights and decorated tree, to think less of the hustle and bustle, lists and projects. I want to feel my heart full at the very thought of God become man, of eternity's most precious child laid in the straw of a manger, of a God who pursues us across time and through culture to make us his very own.