JULIE ANN STEVENS

Welcome Advent 2020.

We all enter this season with perspectives and experiences unimaginable a year ago — notable to me are the numerous and humbling ways aspects of my shadow have shown up to me.

I can only hope that this means less of my dark side remains invisible to me while wildly projecting itself on others.

In this season, I see a larger invitation to embrace shadow.

How do we do this? Let us count the ways over the next four weeks.

Why do we do this? I start today with discerning between waiting with expectation and waiting in open receptivity. Up until now, I’ve focused my devotion on waiting for the birth of what I want for myself, those I love, and the world — not much different from a kid’s Christmas list.

Today, I ask to notice my shadow in my list making and pray for the open stance to receive a not-yet-imagined new born world.

Today I make room by deciding not to make a list.