Three Ways to Spend Advent at Jesus’s Feet

Posted on Aug 22, 2023 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Men's Christian Living, Women's Christian Living

“Season of peace? This feels more like a season of stress!”

In the whirlwind of shopping, planning, baking, and trying to make everyone happy, Christmas season has often left me overwhelmed. You too?

One year when I was particularly plagued with yuletide anxiety, out of nowhere the story of Mary and Martha popped to mind. (Maybe not “out of nowhere.”)

Remember the story? During a dinner party, Martha was agitated by trying to perfect the preparations, while Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to him (Luke 10:38-42 ESV). Martha complained to Jesus that her sister wasn’t helping. Ponder Jesus’s response:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Ahh... That was the gentle nudge I needed to remind me to shift my attention onto what the Advent season is about—Jesus!

Here are three ways to focus on Jesus while awaiting Christmas day.

First, follow Mary’s example and listen. He’s given you the incredible gift of his Word. When you read the Bible, you are sitting at Jesus’s feet, being filled with the words of the one who loves you and came at Christmas to save you. Remember that his Word is a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path” and its truths are: “More to be desired ... than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).

To redirect your focus to Jesus during this season, it’s helpful to use an Advent devotional, specifically written to walk with you through the days leading to the night of his birth. Awaiting the Manger: Whispers of Advent in the Old Testament, directs you to explore Old Testament passages in a new light—always pointing toward Jesus. Whether you pick Awaiting the Manger or another, I encourage you to select an Advent devotional that shines light on Jesus and his love.

Tip: I find great comfort in simply copying a Scripture verse onto a 3x5 card. Just writing it is encouraging, and I can also put it in my pocket to ponder throughout the day.

Second, pour out your heart to the Lord. This is another practice we glean from Mary. Did you know that Martha’s sister Mary was also the one who emptied a large amount of ointment onto Jesus’s head and feet at a dinner? (Mark 14:3, John 12:3). Mary’s tender, almost desperate, love for her Savior shines through her vulnerable actions. She doesn’t fear laying bare all she has before him. We can do this too. Think of your prayers as Mary’s anointing oil. (See Rev. 8:3.) Pour them out to him. Throughout the Psalms, we see abundant examples of prayers flooding the Lord’s throne. Here’s one:

With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. (Ps. 142:1-2)

If you don’t know what to pray, sometimes it helps to use a pre-written prayer. I engage in this almost every day. If you’re looking for short prayers to pepper your day, you can find those in Awaiting the Manger as well!

Tip: To find time, pray while folding socks or driving to work or during the little corners of your life. He hears those prayers too!

Third, don’t forget gratitude. This part of pouring out our hearts to the Lord is perhaps the most like Mary’s loving anointing. Thank him for the things that are making you busy! As you shop for or wrap presents, give thanks for the person the gift is for. And especially, don’t forget to thank God for the greatest gift of his Son born in the manger.

Tip: On a small piece of colored paper (green works great!), write down one thing you’re grateful for every day during Advent. Put them on your fridge or on a bulletin board. It’s a great way to celebrate the blessings you already have instead of only focusing on those gifts you’re craving.

I’m praying these three reminders will help you find true peace during this Advent season, as Mary did, at Jesus’s feet.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)