I like Advent. A Benedictine oblate blog

I have enjoyed every day of Advent. I understand Christmas better because I participated in Advent — Reading, study, following the Advent sections in Benedictine Daily Prayer, a book for praying the divine office.

My focus on Advent helped me avoid spending time on distractions that often fill my time before Christmas. Advent served as a shield. I knew what I would be doing with much of my free time — using the time in Advent to prepare and wait.

Advent has allowed me to see the essential parts of Christmas, the Biblical accounts and our praise for God’s love. It’s a decluttered Christmas that I approach.