Throw up, Not Silent Nights, and Advent Plans Gone Out the Window: A Reminder That Immanuel Comes Into Our Mess

December 21, 2017

How’s your Advent been going? Mine hasn’t quite gone as I planned. Every year I have this hope for a somewhat peaceful Advent, where life slows down and we take time to reflect upon the meaning of this season. This year I wanted to simplify and focus on what matters. But the fact was we were… Read More Throw up, Not Silent Nights, and Advent Plans Gone Out the Window: A Reminder That Immanuel Comes Into Our Mess

— Advent, Featured —

How a Wreath Can Help Us Slow Down and Make Space for the Holy this Holiday Season

December 2, 2017

Advent is upon us. Tomorrow, December 3rd, we will begin this precious season of waiting and preparing for the babe who comes to speaks to us the most profound truth ever spoken: the truth that we are deeply, ridiculously loved. As we prepare to enter Advent, I thought I would repost a post I wrote… Read More How a Wreath Can Help Us Slow Down and Make Space for the Holy this Holiday Season

— Advent, Featured —

Prepare for the Preparing: Getting Ready for Advent

November 28, 2017

I didn’t grow up with it, this Advent thing… this word whose root means to come, to arrive. If you look it up, you’ll get “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.” I didn’t grow up with the traditions and rituals of this season where we count down and prepare for the arrival… Read More Prepare for the Preparing: Getting Ready for Advent

Janise Matyas Smith

Seeking the deeper still life with God

Category: Advent

Throw up, Not Silent Nights, and Advent Plans Gone Out the Window: A Reminder That Immanuel Comes Into Our Mess

How a Wreath Can Help Us Slow Down and Make Space for the Holy this Holiday Season

Prepare for the Preparing: Getting Ready for Advent