Hey, friend — can we just take a deep breath together? Before the rush, the shopping lists, the travel plans, and the pressure to make everything perfect… let’s pause. In this episode, I’m talking about something near and dear to my heart — the sacred invitation of Advent.   I share a personal story about how my early years of marriage, motherhood, and even hospital stays reshaped the way I approach Christmas. Somewhere between the chaos and the beauty, I discovered that Advent isn’t just a countdown to Christmas — it’s a call to slow down, to wait well, and to make room for Jesus.   We’ll explore:✨ What Advent truly means — the dual invitation to remember Christ’s first coming and long for His return.✨ How our hearts are formed in the waiting through hope, repentance, joy, and peace.✨ Simple, practical ways to prepare early — not for the sake of doing more, but to free up December for what matters most: presence over perfection.✨ Why slowing down and creating space can actually deepen our experience of God’s love this season. Whether your tree goes up in November or Christmas Eve, my prayer is that Advent becomes the heartbeat behind all your holiday rhythms — shaping you into a person who resists hurry and embraces holy anticipation.   Let’s make this Christmas different. Let’s prepare Him room. If today’s episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs to be reminded that slowing down isn’t falling behind — it’s sacred. Subscribe to The Formed Life for more reflections, and let’s walk through this Advent season together. 🌿   📸 Follow along: @vwear | @theformedlife