Advent is a time of waiting, but it doesn't have to be sedate

It is Advent, for a few more days anyway, and, I will confess that I haven't been feeling all that advent-y this year. For some reason or another. Perhaps it's the Texas weather, all sunshine and rain and no snow (except for that one extremely unusual Thursday evening.) I don't think that's it, though, because this is my third Advent in Texas, and I don't remember feeling this way the last two years.

Maybe it's the fact that Advent is so short this year. We light the fourth Advent Candle in the morning, and bam! by sundown it is Christmas Eve. I love a long Advent, with time to reflect over all of the candles, with time to think deep thoughts about wonder and waiting, making time and space for the coming Christ, who is also present.

There is this one small thing, though, every Sunday. Since Advent is for seeing in a different way, I decided on the first Sunday of Advent to wrap up a number of sunglasses and give them out to the children, and invite them to see differently this season. I am terrible at wrapping gifts. I will do almost anything to avoid it. But I got a roll of Christmas wrapping paper and wrapped up the sunglasses, and put them under the tree. (Don't judge me. Yes, our church Christmas tree is up before Christmas.)