What Is Advent? Preparing Our Hearts for the Coming King

As Advent begins, I’d love to slow down with you for a moment and ask a simple question: What are we really preparing for? In the middle of shopping lists, school concerts, and full calendars, Advent quietly invites us to pause, to breathe, and to make room in our hearts for the coming King.

BONUS: I’ve created a free 4-week Advent guide called Prepare Him Room to help you walk through hope, peace, joy, and love this season. You can download it a little further down in this post.

Advent invites us to slow down and make room for Jesus.

Advent is the four-week season leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” For Christians, it’s about:

• Remembering Jesus’ first coming as a baby in Bethlehem

• Living awake and ready for His second coming

• Learning to wait with hope in the middle

It isn’t just a countdown to presents or a cozy holiday vibe. Advent is an invitation to slow down, to notice our hunger for God, and to Prepare Him Room in the middle of very real, very busy lives.

The Four Themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

Many churches light one candle each week to mark the journey through Advent. Each candle highlights a theme:

1. Hope

We remember that God keeps His promises. The prophets waited centuries for the Messiah. Their hope wasn’t wishful thinking; it was confidence in a faithful God.

Advent reminds us: even when we can’t see what God is doing, He is still at work.

2. Peace

Jesus is the Prince of Peace who steps into our chaos. Peace doesn’t mean life is suddenly quiet or easy; it means we’re held in the middle of it.

Advent asks: where do I need to let Christ’s peace rule my heart, my home, my relationships?

3. Joy

This is more than seasonal happiness. Joy in Advent is rooted in Jesus Himself—a deep, steady gladness that says, “God is with us,” even when circumstances are hard.

(You know I love this theme—my book JOY was born from learning to cling to God’s joy in the middle of messy real life. You can find it on my Books page.)

4. Love

At the heart of Advent is a God who moves toward us in love. He doesn’t stay far away; He steps into our world, our sin, our stories, and offers Himself.

Advent declares: “For God so loved the world…” – including you.

Advent Is for People Who Are Waiting

Advent is not for the people who have it all together. It’s for the:

• Tired

• Grieving

• Lonely

• Overwhelmed

• Hopeful but unsure

  
  

It’s for anyone who feels the gap between what is and what should be.

In my own journey—from pastor’s kid, to secret addiction, to redemption and freedom in Christ—I’ve learned that waiting with Jesus is very different from waiting alone. Advent helps us face that tension honestly.

“Things are not as they should be… but the King is coming.”

So as Advent begins, ask:

• Where do I most need God’s presence right now?

• Where do I feel stuck, empty, or restless?

• Where do I need to remember that Jesus really did come—and He really is coming again?

  
  

Those places are exactly where Advent belongs.

How to Practice Advent in Everyday Life

You don’t need a perfect liturgy or a Pinterest-worthy wreath to lean into this season. Here are some simple ways to practice Advent on purpose:

1. Light a Candle and Read Scripture

Once a day or once a week, light a candle and read a short passage about Jesus. You can use:

• Isaiah 7, 9, 11

• Luke 1–2

• Matthew 1–2

• John 1:1–18

  
  

If you’d like a guided journey, my Advent devotional Prepare Him Room walks through 25 days of reflection, Scripture, and prayer.

You can find it here:👉 Prepare Him Room or on my Books page.

2. Choose One “Making Room” Practice

Ask the Lord, “How can I make room for You this Advent?” Then pick one small but intentional step:

• Turn off your phone for the first 15 minutes of the day and sit with a verse.

• Take a short walk without headphones and simply talk to Jesus.

• Once a week, share a meal or a coffee with someone who needs encouragement.

  
  

Small, consistent practices matter more than big, unsustainable plans.

3. Let Your Decorations Preach the Gospel

As you put up the tree, hang the lights, or set out the nativity:

• Thank Jesus that He is the Light of the world.

• Pause at the manger scene and remember: God chose to come close.

• Ask Him to shine in the dark corners of your home and heart.

4. Guard Your Heart from Hurry

December fills up fast—concerts, gatherings, shopping, deadlines. Advent invites us to gently ask:

• Do I really need to say yes to this?

• Is this drawing me closer to Jesus—or just making me busier?

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is say no, so you can say a deeper yes to being with the Lord.

What Advent Should Mean for Us as Christians

As followers of Jesus, Advent is a yearly rhythm that:

• Re-centers us on Christ, not consumerism

• Trains our hearts to wait with hope, not despair

• Reminds us that history is headed somewhere—toward Jesus’ return

• Refreshes our worship, so Christmas isn’t just sentimental but deeply spiritual

We are not just remembering a sweet baby in a manger; we are worshiping the King who came, who saves, and who will come again.

A Simple Advent Prayer

You might want to pray this as you begin this season:

Lord Jesus, as Advent begins,

Slow my heart.

Open my eyes to see You at work.

Teach me to wait with hope, to rest in Your peace,

to rejoice in Your joy, and to receive Your love.

Help me make room for You—in my thoughts, my calendar, my conversations, and my home.

Thank You that You came, that You are with me now, and that You are coming again.

Amen.

Stay Connected

If this Advent reflection encouraged you, you might also enjoy:

• My books (including JOY and Prepare Him Room): Books by Ruth Hovsepian

• My podcast conversations and teaching: Podcast

• Inviting me to speak at your church, retreat, or women’s event: Speaking

• Reaching out with a prayer request or question: Contact Ruth

I’m cheering you on as you step into this Advent season—one small, faithful step at a time.