With our culture’s desire to stretch the Holidays from Halloween through late December, Christmas can become an endlessly long blur. Advent is a reminder that Christmas doesn’t happen until December 25 and we are called to wait patiently and prepare for this momentous event. We asked our readers to send in reflections on moments of waiting and preparing in their lives. What moments were worth the wait? How did they prepare for big moments in life? Check back each day for a new reflection.

Manger Scene Artwork by Scott Stafstrom