This Advent, I’ll be writing a three-part blog
series, “Spiritual Practices at Home.” Advent is a wonderful season of the
Church year for home observance with its Advent wreaths, calendars, and more.
But here is the big secret…all the seasons of the Christian year are wonderful
for home observance! Growth in discipleship, the pursuit of spirituality
maturity, is an adventure of integrating faith in Christ with every aspect of
our lives. Our homes, whether a humble room or grand house, influence us
immensely and usually reflect ourselves in ways flattering and not so
flattering (Really, it’s time to take down that M.C. Hammer poster.)
Bringing your faith to bear visibly in the
most intimate spaces of your life is an important step forward in the journey
of Christian discipleship. Home observance of the faith is for all Christians.
Certainly, there are practices that lend themselves to family life (in all the
wonderful and weary forms it can take), but whether by yourself, with
roommates, your significant other, your animal friend, or a house full of small
people, the riches of our Christian heritage for daily life are immense.
When observed faithfully, not perfectly, not
dramatically, but regularly, over the months and years, they can serve as quiet
shapers of our souls and steady channels of God’s grace, transforming us day by
day into people of greater Spirit and Love. Are there particular aspects of home
practice you are hoping I explore? (Perhaps the exorcism of that space filled
with stuff you haven’t looked at in years?) Do you have recommendations or
suggestions to make? They are always most welcome. Please share them as move
through the series.
