Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16: 14
While Advent is the season of Peace, Love, and Joy, it is also the season where, just as a fever rises on a thermometer, stress levels can go up and up, and up. We become overwhelmed with multiple ‘to do’ lists: gifts to buy, cards to send, the next place to hide the Elf, food to prepare, people to see, and lots more. Before we know it we are looking for a place to hide, for an escape route. We don’t know whether we are coming or going. When we lose our way the true meaning of Christmas, the reason for the season, also gets lost in the fray.
Two popular sayings come to mind. “Less is more”, and, “If a little is good, a lot is better!” If we are speaking of dieting, where the less you eat the more you lose, then less IS more. If you like whip cream, well then, a little is good, but a lot IS better, and less is NOT more!
As we prepare for the coming of Jesus this Advent, we may find that more decorations will not fill a heart lacking love, and more gifts will not prove our love for someone. However, a heartfelt gift of our self just might. Even a little time spent sharing ourselves, by making a simple phone call, assisting someone in need, or maybe even helping someone else with their decorations, will not only fill the heart of the recipient, but ours as well. If a few less decorations means more time spent sharing our love with others, then Less IS more.
Also, taking time to refuel our spirit is essential to being able to accomplish all those things on our ‘to do’ lists. Spending a little time in prayer with Jesus will prepare our hearts to give more fully and more genuinely. In doing so, we become filled with His love and a burning desire to share it with all those we come in contact with. So, if spending a little time with Jesus makes us share love with others more, then… if a little is good, a lot IS better.
Maybe we can each find special ways where cutting back, or doing more, may be the key to experiencing a very productive and memorable Advent. One with generous hearts focused on and filled with His love.
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