A Sacred, Slow Unwrapping
(1 minute 58 seconds)

It is a real thing to love giving and getting gifts.
My sister-in-law taught me 29 years ago about love languages and that “gifts” is one of them. This is a language that I understand.
To me, a lovely silk bow coordinated with pretty wrapping paper is almost as wonderful as the present itself. And if there happens to be a tiny bell or delicate heart tied to the package (my friend Tina taught me this), it soars immediately into the category of a take-my-breath-away gift, no matter what’s inside.

For me, the gift un-wrapping protocol includes many oohs and aahs of delight over the outside of the package. Then, there is a gentle running of my hand over the bow as the beauty of the package is admired. Additionally, praise is lavished over how much effort it must have taken to create something so exquisite.
Slowly I turn the package over and around as I search for a seam. With ever-so-much care, I gingerly run my fingers along the paper’s edge.
Yes, the opening of a present is a process to be savored.

The word Advent means arrival.
It’s a time of remembering the long-anticipated arrival of Jesus and celebrating our much-hoped-for Messiah.
To celebrate Advent is to say “yes” to an invitation to, as Anne Voskamp says, “a sacred, slow Unwrapping of a season of God.”

A sacred, slow Unwrapping of a season of God.

Probably you’ve had a Christmas like I have where the day itself snuck up on you. In October we notice the stores are already decorated all Christmasy and then in November the music on the radio changes to holiday-festive. We think there will be plenty of time to get our hearts in the Christmas mode, to prepare Him room, and savor something of Christmas. But then December flies by and we are wrapping presents early on Christmas morning.

I propose a pro-active, consistent, and gentle pace of worship this December. I invite you as I have just signed up myself for a sacred, slow, unwrapping of this season of God.

Advent begins today, November 28, 2021.
I assembled a Messiah exulting, Immanuel honoring, Christmas song list that is 28 songs long. One song for each day of Advent. Sitting in my favorite grey leather chair with my black and white polka-dot pillow behind me, my bible and a cup of coffee next to me in my twinkle-lit room, I plan to worship intentionally and pray through one song each day. I commit to make room in my heart for Jesus more purposefully this season and to set aside a time of daily worship these next few weeks.
Will you join me in unwrapping this holy season in the way I described unwrapping presents? In a slow and awe-filled unwrapping of this sacred season?

I will be posting a song title each morning on Instagram with a small sampling from the lyrics that stir my heart most from that song. You can copy the title to your favorite way of listening to music (Spotify, iTunes, Apple), and we’ll worship our way through Advent together.
Let’s say “yes” to a more sacred, slower, unwrapping of Christmas this year.
Follow me at jillnoble.me
I’d love to meet you there!
Or if you aren’t an Instagram girl and you’d like my Advent Song List, email me and I’d be honored to send it to you!