Waiting Well: An Advent Invitation to Prepare Room and Receive Christ

Advent draws us into a sacred pause —a season not of rushing, but of readiness.

We wait.

We hope.

We prepare room.

And yet, each of us waits differently. How we receive, anticipate, or respond to this holy season often reflects our God-given temperament.

Advent isn't one-size-fits-all — neither is faith, growth, or wellness. Christ comes to each of us uniquely, personally, intentionally.

🌿 Temperaments and the Way We Wait

Each temperament brings both gifts and challenges to Advent — and each offers a path to prepare room for Christ.

As a Melancholic–Choleric blend, Advent draws me into two very different pulls. I love the quiet — slow mornings with a candle lit before the house wakes, the space to reflect, journal, pray, and sit with Scripture. My melancholic nature finds peace in depth and stillness. But that choleric part of me — the side that feels responsibility and drive — wants to move, plan, accomplish, and make Christmas “just right.” I feel the tension between contemplation and productivity. I want to wait well… but I also want to check lists, organize gifts, and ensure everything is done. This year, I’m learning to lean into the slower part of me — the part that trusts Christmas will come whether everything is perfect or not. I’m releasing the pressure of the “ideal” gift under the tree and remembering the only perfect gift is the One in the manger — wrapped not in ribbon, but in swaddling cloth and eternal love. Even when I feel the pull to hurry, I hear a gentle invitation: Prepare your heart, not just your home.

Here’s how each temperament may experience the waiting of Advent:

Sanguine — joyful, expressive, embodied anticipation

A sanguine heart may feel Advent like music — eager, full of wonder, ready to share joy. Yet waiting may feel slow, and quiet can feel uncomfortable.

Invitation: Practice presence before activity. Pause. Savor. Let joy be rooted in stillness.

Choleric — purposeful, driven, ready to act

A choleric wants to do, prepare, organize, accomplish — creating space by effort. Yet surrender does holy work too.

Invitation: Practice release. Let Jesus lead. Sit without agenda and listen before responding.

Melancholic — reflective, deep, spiritually attentive

A melancholic naturally enters Advent with reverence and contemplation. But expectations can run high, and heaviness may follow unmet hopes.

Invitation: Practice hope. Notice light, beauty, promise. Let joy in through the cracks.

Phlegmatic — gentle, steady, peace-oriented

A phlegmatic soul may rest easily into Advent’s slowness.

Yet comfort can sometimes turn into spiritual passivity.

Invitation: Practice engagement. Choose one small, intentional way to prepare room for Christ.

🌾 Advent Through SEEDS™ and Temperament

Just as temperaments shape our waiting, SEEDS™ offers gentle structure for heart-preparation — without hustle or pressure.

S — Spiritual Health

Prayer that fits your wiring:

• Sanguine → worship, group prayer, spontaneous gratitude

• Choleric → intercession + action-oriented Scripture

• Melancholic → journaling, lectio divina, candlelit reflection

• Phlegmatic → stillness, breath prayer, quiet presence

God meets you where your soul naturally leans.

E — Eating (Nourishment)

Food becomes sacred when we receive it with gratitude.

• Sanguine → colorful plates, shared meals

• Choleric → intentional fuel + balanced choices

• Melancholic → wholesome foods, quiet awareness

• Phlegmatic → comforting meals made nourishing

E — Exercise (Embodied Worship)

Move your body as prayer.

• Sanguine → dance, groups, joyful movement

• Choleric → strength, challenge, progress

• Melancholic → slow, mind-body practices

• Phlegmatic → gentle consistency, walking, stretching

Your body is a temple of the Holy Sprit — movement is worship.

D — Daily Rhythms

Small rhythms make space for peace.

• Sanguine → visual reminders, cheerful structure

• Choleric → simple plans + intentional rest

• Melancholic → morning journaling, evening reflection

• Phlegmatic → one slow habit at a time

S — Sabbath & Stillness

Rest is how we receive Him.

• Sanguine → laughter & joyful rest

• Choleric → surrender control

• Melancholic → reverence & beauty

• Phlegmatic → deep restoration

Stillness is the doorway to encounter.

🌸 Advent Reminds Us:

One Advent stands out clearly. I was in a season of transition — waiting for clarity, direction, healing. Nothing looked like it was changing, but inside, God was cultivating roots I couldn’t yet see. On Christmas morning, I realized He was forming peace before He formed answers.

You don’t have to rush to be holy.

You don’t have to perform to be loved.

You don’t have to bloom to be growing.

Christ arrived quietly —and He often arrives in us the same way.