Let's Get Ready

Sheri Wohlfert offers encouragement to seek peace this Advent by prioritizing time spent in prayer. 

May the Lord give might to his people; may the Lord bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29:11)  

I know the Thanksgiving turkey isn’t even in the oven yet, but it’s time for Advent to hit your radar. Sometimes we screech into Advent caught by surprise and perhaps wishing our heart was a wee bit more prepared to soak up the grace of the season. It’s meant to be a season of peace, patience, hope, joy and waiting!  We are pretty good at the joy and hope but the peace, patience, and waiting ... maybe not so much!  

If you ask me, it’s pretty ironic that the busiest month of the year is flanked by the message of patience and waiting, but the God who loves us completely uses those words in December to protect us from the events, parties, programs, shopping, and festivities our culture dictates.  

In the month we are supposed to prepare for the greatest miracle of all time, we drive ourselves silly with shopping, decorating, celebrating, and chocolate — so before we get all tangled up in December, let’s take some time to get our hearts focused.  

Peace Is the Root of the Season 

Advent is a season of peace, but what do you think of when you hear the word peace? Do you think of all the places — including our own hearts — that need it, or do you see it at work in your life? Peace is something God promised — but we have to want it, seek it, and work for it.  

Peace is the gift of this season, and you can’t get it on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, or by waiting in line for an hour with a Kohl’s 30% off coupon. Peace is the result of prayer and stillness; peace is the gift of God’s presence in your day. It is that magnificent gift that helps you realize that if you give God your entire day and speak with Him often throughout it, as if consulting your personal advisor, He will provide those moments of great exhale as things fall into place.  

God can handle the details, the shopping, the cleaning, the schedules. He’s bigger than your to-do list, He’s a better entertainer than Martha Stewart, and He is rich beyond measure. You have four weeks to prepare for the gift of His Son, Jesus. Do you want Jesus to be the first guest who gets the prime spot and all the best preparation, or do you want to squeeze Him in as the last guest through the door in a standing-room-only venue?  

A Small Investment with Gigantic Reward 

I know what you’re thinking: “Sheri, I just don’t have time to be still and prepare. Advent would be so much better if it was in March when I wasn’t so busy.”  

Yup, I hear you, but think with me for a minute. What adds to your goal of eternal life: the perfect gift and cookie plate for someone at the office, or a heart that’s ready to welcome the gift of a miracle sent to this earth to live and die just for you?  That’s a gift worth getting ready for, don’t ya think?  

Time is precious, but the grace-filled reward of intentionally carving out just ten minutes each day in quiet, still prayer would be a loving investment in your relationship with the Father and the Son He sent to this world as an infant to save us.  

There has never been a time when we have needed peace more. Peace is the fruit of patience and waiting, my friends! Let’s use this beautiful season to patiently wait for a newborn King Who has the power to change EVERYTHING! 

 
A Seed to Plant:  

Find ten or more minutes each day with the sole purpose of preparing for the gift that’s coming straight to your heart on December 25th! Think of it as advanced planning and preparation for the most amazing event you will ever attend! 
 
Blessings on your day! 

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Copyright 2025 Sheri Wohlfert
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