Jesus is coming anew at Christmas. We know this. But Christ is also already here in our midst.

Christ is there in the mall Santa and the Christmas carolers and that hopelessly tangled pile of Christmas lights. Christ is there when you bake your cookies and select your gifts and grumble about having to visit that one specific relative. Christ is in the faces on Christmas cards you receive (and send!), and Christ is there when you watch your favorite holiday movie.

But do we see Christ? Do we take the time to allow Christ to see us in these traditions? Or, are we moving too fast — too focused on checking items off of our lists, on getting it all in? 

This Advent, take time to find God in the Christmas prep. Read reflections from our community of writers below. Or, get these reflections delivered right to your inbox each morning! Sign up here.