Preparing Your Heart for the Coming King
Every year, the world speeds up in December. The to-do lists get longer, the noise gets louder, and before we know it, our hearts can feel scattered, hurried, or spiritually dry.
But Advent invites us to do the opposite.
To slow down, Be still, Get quiet
How Advent Formed Me
Growing up in a house of eight kids, Advent wasn’t always quiet—sometimes it was peaceful, sometimes someone was crying or arguing—but it was meaningful.
My mom made an Advent wreath, my dad read Scripture or a devotional, and we lit a candle each Sunday. Even as a child, that rhythm shaped me. It taught me that Christmas was about expectation, hope, and preparing room in our hearts—long before I understood the deep theology behind it.
As an adult and a mother, I knew I wanted those rhythms in my own home. I still read through God Came Near by Max Lucado every December—just one short chapter a day. It brings me back to center, and it helps me look for Jesus in a season filled with distractions.
Simple Advent Rhythms to Bring Peace to Your Home
Advent doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You don’t need Pinterest-perfect moments. All you need is intention.
Here are the practices I’ve done with my children for years—deeply meaningful and incredibly simple:
✓ 1. Light a Candle and Read Scripture
One candle. One verse. One moment of stillness.
This practice alone can change the atmosphere of your home.
✓ 2. Read a Short Devotional Together
My simple 25-day devotional walks you through the prophecies of Jesus and one actionable thought each day. Whether you use that or something else, choose something small and doable.
✓ 3. Choose One Daily Act of Connection
When my kids were little, we made a “25 Days of Christmas” calendar:
Deliver a Christmas card to someone who needs encouragement
Make a treat for a neighbor
Call grandparents and sing a Christmas song
Watch a Christmas movie together
Serve a family member in a small way
These tiny practices build community, connection, and memories that last.
✓ 4. Bring Scripture Into Your Mornings
Whether it’s the Advent wreath, a short reading, or a moment of prayer—beginning your day with focus sets the tone for everything else.
Why Advent Matters for Your Health
As a functional nutrition practitioner who works with Christian women, I can tell you this:
Your spiritual rhythms directly affect your emotional, hormonal, and physical health.
Slowing down reduces cortisol.
Stillness stabilizes your nervous system.
Hope strengthens your resilience.
Connection regulates your emotions.
You don’t need another supplement for peace—you need space to meet with the Prince of Peace.
Your Invitation This Season
As Christmas approaches, I want to invite you to pause long enough to ask:
How am I preparing my heart for the coming King?
Not perfectly.
Not professionally.
Just intentionally.
And I would love to know what you’re doing this year. Share your traditions, your rhythms, your thoughts in the comments. You may be the encouragement another woman needs.
