This morning I woke to Christmas music.  Since my man is excited about the upcoming holidays, we will undoubtable be unpacking the Christmas decorations soon, perhaps even before Thanksgiving.  With my depleted energy level, I feel like I need a running head start.  In spite of the fact that I sold, broke or gave away much of our holiday décor in our move, what we still have will probably drench our small nest.  Nevertheless, Christmas will go on!

Alas, before decorating for Christmas, at least a token amount of cleaning must be done.  Even my mini house in the country collects unwanted dust and dog hair which must be swept clean.  However, I didn't realize that the new broom I had ordered online through Walmart was a petite version of the real thing, only 8"-10" across.  Cute.  At first I sighed and thought I would have to return it and purchase a real one, but soon found that it was perfect for our little nest.  And like an old broom, I know where the dirt is. 

How true this is for our hearts as well.  I must allow the Holy Spirit to sweep away-whether using a mini or a large broom--the dirt that has collected in my mind and heart in order to be cleansed.  To have the mind of Christ is an ongoing submission to the will of God.  Only then, can I truly honor the spirit of Christmas and find joy in the beginning of Advent.  Did I tell you that Christmas is my favorite season of the year?

Here's another excerpt from "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection."

John Wesley, the Man of One Book

"5.  In the year 1729 I began not only to read, but to study, the Bible, as the one, the only standard of truth, and the only model of pure religion.  Hence I saw, in a clearer and clearer light, the indispensable necessity of having 'the mind of Christ which was in Christ,' and  of 'walking as Christ also walked;' even of having, not some part only, but all the mind which was in him; and of walking as he walked, not only in many or in most respects, but in all things.  And this was the light, wherein at this time I generally considered religion as a uniform following of Christ, an entire inward and outward conformity to our Master.  Nor was I afraid of any thing more that of bending this rule to the experience of myself, or of other men; of allowing myself in any the least disconformity to our grand Exemplar."

Back to our Christmas preparations, it was time to put our fake pumpkins away and get a jump on holiday purchases.  In our moving sale, I sold our skinny tree that we had used for many years.  Thus, I ordered a new tree online, but it only took one peek into the box to realize it wouldn't do: the needles looked more like shredded green plastic bags.  It was returned.  This time I decided not to buy one sight unseen and purchased a relatively cheap new skinny tree from Walmart that is exactly like the one I sold in our yard sale, one I had bought from a lovely boutique years ago.  Hmm.  Since our house is too small for a bulky live tree inside, we did find a lovely small Scotch pine for our little porch, one that can be planted after Christmas and enjoyed for many years to come.  Perhaps it will be a Christmas legacy of sorts, or rather an example of the miraculous if it lives that long.  My thumb is not exactly green in spite of usual Christmas colors.  

How about you?  Are you getting your heart and hearth ready for His Advent?