I do what I love. I studied music and theology in school, and people looked at me like I was crazy for not doing something more practical, but I followed my heart and it paid off. Now I teach about popes and saints and the liturgical year, I sing in churches and dance on stages and raise my voice in groups and on my own. I write about all of these things. I am blessed.
I am busy.
This week begins tech week for my upcoming show. It also is the start of the Holiday Pops season, the week when report cards are due, and a new liturgical season. All of my choirs will have extra music to learn and extra services to sing throughout December.
So I ask the world to slow me down this Advent. Share a poem on Facebook that I can’t help but savor. Text me a joke that makes me hold someone else in my heart. Stop me in the hallway to ask me a question and force me to stop and think of someone other than myself. Leave me with a thought I can’t help but write about. Hand me a book that distracts me for a few minutes from the race to Christmas.
I will do what I can, giving myself time before bed with my prayerbook, and listening to music that draws me closer to prayer. It doesn’t need to be much – there will be no long weekend retreats this month, but those moments are all that stand between the life I want and being swept up in drama of my own making.
What will you do to make Advent more prayerful?
For music and books I recommend Advent at Ephesus
Fantastic post! Over the past five challenging years, Ive had roller coaster emotions during what was formerly a precious season, albeit materialistically focused, with my little girl.
Then I found Pay It Forward Marc, a charity born from the 20th anniversary of a friends loss of her son in a Christmas Eve black ice encounter. Marc enlists his angels on Earth to make the holidays brighter for those who need it. Actions can be large or small, lighthearted and lifesaving. I personally drove a carload of toys on their last leg of a cross country donation from Ohio to Abington, MA. To see the face on the grandma when She looked in the car was priceless. Her burden eased in being able to provide gifts to the 2 children she is raising. Giving, focusing on others, sharing my time with others forced me to slow down and focus on the joy, hope and promise that is the Christmas season.
Thank you once again for being part of rejeuvenating my faith through your wonderful blog!
Such wonderful suggestions! Practicing generosity is so key to being mindful this season.
As my kids tore into each other at the table tonight, I sighed and thought, “Advent, quiet, stillness, peace…not….” I need to get Advent at Ephesus. It’s been on my list for years.
I’m listening to it right now – it always puts me in a calmer place (though that remains relative!)