hot cocoa thoughts

Hi there! I hope this finds you doing well on this December Tuesday (did December sneak up on you like it did for me?). My husband & I have been busy settling back into NYC and getting into the swing of things after our Thanksgiving trip to Ohio. Hopefully in a couple days I'll be able to post about our Advent wreath when I get that put together...I'm a little behind at the moment!

I am not sure what the weather is like where you are, but we've had some cold days here in NYC. For us, 'tis the season to get cozy! Whether I am cuddling up in a warm blanket knit by my husband's granny, or drinking a hot cup of vanilla tea, it always feels so nice after a cold day.

The other evening my husband and I made hot cocoa for a little treat. We put some milk on the stove to warm and waited patiently to fill our cups. For an extra bit of warmth we spiked it a bit with peppermint Schnapps. :) And don't forget the marshmallows!

"I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

{Revelation 3:15-16}

Yikes! What an image that verse gives! As I reflect on it, I know that I have seasons of being lukewarm in my spiritual life. Just as I long to get warm after being outside in the harsh cold of winter, the Lord longs for us to be hot, and not cold in our faith. This is one reason I am so thankful for this Advent season we have entered. It is an invitation - an opportunity - a gift - to have this special time to refocus my priorities and strengthen my relationship with the Lord...and to prepare my heart for the celebration of Jesus's coming into this world at Christmas. 

Praying that this Advent we all may be not lukewarm, but hot in our faith...that the warmth of Christ's love may fill our hearts...that we may be a brightly burning light in the world...