Preparing the Heart Before Advent Begins
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7
November has a quiet kind of holiness about it. After the joyful celebration of All Saints and the tender remembrance of All Souls, the Church invites us into a slower rhythm — a gentle descent into stillness before the brightness of Advent.
Nature teaches the same lesson. The earth exhales after harvest, the days grow shorter, and even the air seems to ask for gentleness. This is the time to pull close to God, to gather the scattered pieces of our hearts, and to make space for what is to come.
The Sacred Pause Before the New Year
In the liturgical calendar, Advent marks the beginning of a new Church year. But before that renewal begins, we’re offered a pause — a season to reflect, to simplify, to listen.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer” (CCC 2567). This sacred pause is that invitation — a reminder that peace doesn’t come from emptying our minds, but from filling our hearts with Christ’s presence.
When we learn to rest in that presence, even the silence feels full. It becomes the still place where hope begins to take root.
A Wholiopathic Approach to Waiting
Waiting is not idleness — it’s holy attentiveness. Just as we tend the soil before planting, our souls also need preparation.
- Spiritually, we clear away clutter — resentment, noise, busyness — to make space for grace.
- Physically, we embrace simplicity: slower meals, more sleep, deep breaths of cool air.
- Emotionally, we allow ourselves to be small and honest with God, trusting that He meets us in our fatigue and longing.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15
A Simple Practice: The Cedar and Frankincense Simmer Pot
This simple act can become a sensory prayer — filling your home with peace and your heart with intention.
You’ll Need:
- A few sprigs of cedar (or pine needles) — for purification and endurance.
- 1 tsp frankincense resin (or a few drops of essential oil) — for prayer and adoration.
- Optional: slices of lemon or orange peel — for joy and light.
To Prepare:
- Fill a small pot or slow cooker with water.
- Add your ingredients and let them simmer gently.
- As the steam rises, pray:“Lord, as this fragrance fills the air, let my home and my heart be filled with Your peace.Purify my thoughts, quiet my fears, and prepare me to welcome You anew.”
Let the aroma remind you that peace is not the absence of movement, but the presence of God.
Reflection: Preparing for the Light
Before the candles of Advent are lit, we tend the wick of our souls. Ask yourself:
- What must I lay down so Christ may dwell more fully in me?
- How can I honor silence and create room for the sacred?
- Where is God asking me to wait — not in fear, but in trust?
Write these in your journal or prayer notebook. Return to them throughout November, and notice how God begins to answer in quiet ways.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Teach me to find peace in Your timing.
Quiet the noise around me and the restlessness within me.
Help me prepare my heart with stillness, my home with simplicity,
and my soul with hope.
As I wait for Your coming, let my waiting become worship.
Amen.
From my Grace Filled Lemons Heart to Yours,
Laura
Grace Filled Lemons 
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