THE GOD WHO DRAWS NEAR | ADVENT SERIES Pt. 2

December can feel like a pressure cooker for our souls. Our brains are overstimulated, our nervous systems are on high alert, and joy can feel strangely out of reach, no matter how much we love Jesus or long for peace. In this episode, we explore why noticing God’s presence is so hard when we’re overwhelmed, and how the practice of quiet gratitude can open just enough space for His nearness to register again. This isn’t about forcing ourselves to “be more present.” It’s about turning – slowly, kindly – toward the God who is already paying attention to us.

✨ In This Episode

From This Episode (What You’ll Hear):

In this gentle, neuroscience-meets-Advent conversation, we walk through:

Why your brain has a hard time noticing beauty when December ramps up the pressure and why that doesn’t mean you’re failing at faith.

How God often “slips into” our days through tiny, ordinary moments that soften us from the inside out.

A tender look at God’s promise to Moses in Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”—and what that rest really means for weary parents.

A simple, one-moment-a-day gratitude practice to gently widen your inner world and help your heart register goodness again.

Reflection Questions:

What quiet weight are you carrying into this season?

Where do you feel the pressure to perform holiday magic?

What would it look like to invite God to meet you honestly, not ideally?

Mentioned in This Episode

Scripture:

• Luke 1:28 – “You are highly favored. The Lord is with you.”
• Exodus 33:14 – “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
• Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (echoed as Jesus’ promise of ongoing presence)
• The broader Advent theme of Emmanuel – “God with us”

Concepts & Themes:

How December’s cultural pace (events, expectations, purchases, noise) overstimulates the nervous system and narrows our attention.

The role of the amygdala in scanning for problems when we’re overwhelmed, which makes it harder to notice what is quietly good.

Gratitude as a gentle way of widening our internal world so we can register goodness that was already there.

A story of a dad in the car with his daughter, and how a small, wordless gesture becomes a spark of aliveness in a tired December night.

A Simple Advent Practice for Week One:

Choose one moment each day and linger with it for one slow breath longer than usual.

• Notice something good
• Let yourself receive it, without earning it
• Let it matter
• Let it count
• Whisper a short prayer:
  “Thank You for this small gift.”

This isn’t another item to complete—it’s a tiny pause meant to gently widen your inner world so grace can be felt, not just known.

Blessing from the Episode:

May your eyes soften toward the small, steady gifts around you.
May your breath ease as you welcome God into one simple moment each day.
May your heart grow more spacious as you notice the nearness you didn’t realize you are missing.

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