Advent Reminds Us That Sanctuary is More Than a Place
Advent is a season of preparation, not just for the celebration of Christ’s birth but for welcoming God into our lives in deeper and more transformative ways. Hebrews 10:5-10 reminds us of the sanctuary Christ creates for us—a safe, sacred space where we find belonging, purpose, and peace.
“When Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me... I have come to do your will, O God.’”
Sanctuary is at the heart of the Advent story. Mary, the mother of Christ, became a home for God in a literal sense, carrying the Messiah within her. But as she prepared to give birth to Jesus, she needed her own sanctuary—a safe space to nurture life and courage for the task ahead.
Sanctuary Is More Than a Place
While we often think of sanctuary as a physical location, the Advent story shows us that it is much more. Sanctuary is anywhere God’s love dwells freely and abundantly. It is also the people who, like Mary, say, “Here I am,” creating spaces of safety, grace, and love for others.
Sanctuary is Joseph, standing by Mary despite the uncertainty and risk of their situation. Sanctuary is Elizabeth, welcoming Mary with joy and affirming her role in God’s plan. Sanctuary is God, present in the most unexpected places, from a humble stable in Bethlehem to the hearts of ordinary people who make room for divine love.
Becoming a Refuge
The call of Hebrews 10 is a reminder that sanctuary is not only something we receive; it is something we are invited to embody. Just as Christ came to do God’s will, we too are called to align our lives with God’s purposes, becoming havens of safety and love for others.
The question for us this Advent is this: Will we be a refuge? Will we be someone’s haven in the storm? Will we be sanctuary?
To answer this call, we must first reflect on where we find sanctuary in our own lives. What are the places and spaces where you feel God’s love dwelling freely? Who are the people who provide you with safe refuge? These sanctuaries remind us of what is possible when love and grace are given freely, and they equip us to extend the same to others.
A Home for All
Sanctuary is at the heart of creating a “home for all.” In Advent, as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming, we are reminded that Jesus came not to dwell in places of power or wealth but among the humble and the marginalized. The home Christ builds is one where everyone belongs, where everyone finds refuge.
Creating this home requires more than good intentions. It asks us to live lives of faithful stewardship and generosity, to bear the fruit of repentance by actively working for justice and peace. It invites us to embody the same love and courage Mary showed as she became a home for God.
“Will we be a refuge? Will we be someone’s haven in the storm? Will we be sanctuary?”
Finding and Sharing Sanctuary
This Advent, let us reflect on how we can become sanctuary for others. Who in your life is longing for refuge, for a safe place to be seen and loved? How can you, like Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth, create space for God’s love to dwell abundantly in your relationships and community?
“Here I am to do your will, O God. ”
As we light the Advent candles and prepare our hearts for Christ, may we find sanctuary in God’s love and become sanctuary for others, building a home where all are welcomed, valued, and safe.
