Right now, I’m sitting by my glowing Christmas tree, drinking coffee out of my MudPie Santa mug, and feeling the quiet anticipation that Advent brings. It’s one of my favorite ways to start the day—surrounded by the soft glow of twinkling lights, thinking about the beauty of this season. For me, Advent is about more than just a countdown to Christmas; it’s about slowing down and making space for what really matters.
Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming,” is a tradition that stretches back centuries. Originally, in the 4th and 5th centuries, early Christians used this season to prepare for Epiphany through fasting, prayer, and reflection. Over time, Advent shifted to focus on celebrating the first coming of Christ at Christmas while also reminding us to anticipate His promised second coming. By the Middle Ages, Advent had become a four-week season leading up to December 25, with each Sunday marking a significant step in preparing hearts and homes for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
One of my favorite symbols of Advent is the wreath, with its candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love. There’s something so powerful about lighting those candles each week, reflecting on these themes, and recognizing how they shape our lives.
Last year, I started a new personal tradition during Advent that became incredibly meaningful to me. Each day, I read one chapter of the Gospel of Luke—24 chapters leading to Christmas Eve. It was such a grounding experience. As the world around me felt rushed and full of holiday busyness, those quiet moments with Scripture reminded me why we celebrate in the first place. Luke’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry is full of stories of hope, healing, and redemption, and reading it day by day allowed me to see the bigger picture of why Christ’s birth is such a gift.
This year, I’m continuing that tradition but adding something new to my Advent journey. I’ll be reading Susie Larson’s devotional, Prepare Him Room. It’s a beautiful invitation to create space in our lives for God’s presence, even when the season feels hectic. Larson reminds us that Advent isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about allowing hope, peace, joy, and love to shape our hearts as we prepare for Christmas.
Advent has become a deeply personal season for me—a time to pause, reflect, and make room for what matters most. Growing up, my mom always emphasized the magic of Christmas, and she has such a gift for making every moment feel special. Now, as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate how much love and intention she put into creating that sense of wonder. Advent feels like my way of continuing that tradition, but with a focus on preparing my heart for the arrival of Jesus.
If you’re looking for a way to make Advent meaningful this year, I invite you to join me. Whether it’s lighting an Advent candle each Sunday, reading a chapter of Luke daily, or diving into Prepare Him Room, there’s something incredibly powerful about setting aside time to connect with God. You don’t need to have a perfectly decorated house, the ideal schedule, or everything figured out—just a willingness to create space for Him.
As we move through this season together, let’s take a moment to pause in the middle of the hustle and reflect on what Advent really means. It’s not just about getting ready for Christmas—it’s about inviting Christ to dwell in our hearts, bringing light, hope, and joy into every corner of our lives.
Let’s prepare Him room, together.
With love,
Sammi
Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming,” is a tradition that stretches back centuries. Originally, in the 4th and 5th centuries, early Christians used this season to prepare for Epiphany through fasting, prayer, and reflection. Over time, Advent shifted to focus on celebrating the first coming of Christ at Christmas while also reminding us to anticipate His promised second coming. By the Middle Ages, Advent had become a four-week season leading up to December 25, with each Sunday marking a significant step in preparing hearts and homes for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
One of my favorite symbols of Advent is the wreath, with its candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love. There’s something so powerful about lighting those candles each week, reflecting on these themes, and recognizing how they shape our lives.
Last year, I started a new personal tradition during Advent that became incredibly meaningful to me. Each day, I read one chapter of the Gospel of Luke—24 chapters leading to Christmas Eve. It was such a grounding experience. As the world around me felt rushed and full of holiday busyness, those quiet moments with Scripture reminded me why we celebrate in the first place. Luke’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry is full of stories of hope, healing, and redemption, and reading it day by day allowed me to see the bigger picture of why Christ’s birth is such a gift.
This year, I’m continuing that tradition but adding something new to my Advent journey. I’ll be reading Susie Larson’s devotional, Prepare Him Room. It’s a beautiful invitation to create space in our lives for God’s presence, even when the season feels hectic. Larson reminds us that Advent isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about allowing hope, peace, joy, and love to shape our hearts as we prepare for Christmas.
Advent has become a deeply personal season for me—a time to pause, reflect, and make room for what matters most. Growing up, my mom always emphasized the magic of Christmas, and she has such a gift for making every moment feel special. Now, as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate how much love and intention she put into creating that sense of wonder. Advent feels like my way of continuing that tradition, but with a focus on preparing my heart for the arrival of Jesus.
If you’re looking for a way to make Advent meaningful this year, I invite you to join me. Whether it’s lighting an Advent candle each Sunday, reading a chapter of Luke daily, or diving into Prepare Him Room, there’s something incredibly powerful about setting aside time to connect with God. You don’t need to have a perfectly decorated house, the ideal schedule, or everything figured out—just a willingness to create space for Him.
As we move through this season together, let’s take a moment to pause in the middle of the hustle and reflect on what Advent really means. It’s not just about getting ready for Christmas—it’s about inviting Christ to dwell in our hearts, bringing light, hope, and joy into every corner of our lives.
Let’s prepare Him room, together.
With love,
Sammi
