A few years ago,  my grandparents  downsized on their Christmas decorations and allowed my brothers and me to pick out some of the ornaments for our own collections. 

 

One of the ornaments I chose had been a gift from my great-aunt, now deceased. It depicts a romantic Victorian image of a warm, elegant red sleigh drawn by horses in the foreground and dark, snowy woods in the background. I think I picked it out because it reminds me of one of my favorite Robert Frost poems, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” 

 

In the poem, the narrator stops while riding to watch the “lovely, dark and deep” woods of his neighbor “fill up with snow.” And in that moment, everything is still and quiet; and the only other sound that can be heard is the “sweep of easy wind and downy flake.” 

 

But then his horse gives its harness bells a shake, and this sound wakes the narrator from his reveries. He is reminded of the business he must attend to, and so he realizes that he cannot linger any longer but must press on.

 

There is a lot of noise that surrounds the Advent season and preparations for Christmas. Wherever you go, you will be surrounded by Christmas music. Much conversation will be had with family and friends, and many evenings will be filled with boisterous laughter and merriment at parties. And one’s favorite Christmas movies will constantly be playing on TVs. 

 

There is much business to attend to during this time, and certainly not all of the noise is bad. But we cannot forget to stop and pause in the middle of our errands and business and enjoy the stillness and peace that our Lord Jesus wants to give us this Advent season. 

 

When you’re out and about, be sure to stop by your church or adoration chapel and enter into the stillness of that glorious scene of the nativity. Contemplate the mystery of God humbly taking on flesh to save us. 

 

Business can wait.