Sea turtles have a lot to teach us about community.
When a nest of Ridley Sea Turtles is about to hatch, they begin to chirp. This sound signals to the brood that it’s nearly time to break out of their shells, and it even hastens the development of slower or smaller turtles. When they do hatch, they dig up and out, helping one another and working together to scrape away sand before finally emerging from their nest.
You and I are like these turtles.
The spiritual life—especially during seasons like Advent—can feel like a long, hidden struggle beneath the surface. We need the sound of others—their support and encouragement—calling us toward light, growth, and new life in Christ. We need the strength of community to dig through the clutter, distractions, and overwhelm that so often bury us this time of year.
The Heart of Advent
Advent isn’t meant to be just a countdown to Christmas; it’s a sacred invitation to slow down, go deeper, and prepare our hearts for Jesus.
But let’s be honest: In the chaos of the season, we often miss that invitation. Between shopping lists, end-of-year stress, family obligations, and emotional exhaustion, it’s easy to feel isolated, drained, or stuck.
That’s why this Advent is the perfect time to not only receive Advent’s invitation but also to find—or found—a small group with the new devotional, In Time: Living in the Now and Not Yet by Claire Dwyer. And Blessed Is She wants to support you every step of the way.
The Struggle for Silence and Space
For many Catholic women, Advent can feel more like a burden than a blessing. The demands of the season multiply—and so do the expectations.
We often find ourselves holding everything—and everyone—together: coordinating family gatherings, organizing gift exchanges, managing emotional needs, and striving to make Christmas meaningful and magical for those around us. In the midst of this, our own spiritual needs quietly slip to the bottom of the list.
Even when we long for quiet time with God, it’s hard to find. We face real obstacles, including:
- Fatigue from constantly doing for others
- Guilt over not “doing enough” spiritually
- Emotional loneliness, especially for single women, mothers, or those carrying grief
- A sense of being spiritually stuck or dry
We might look around and assume everyone else is managing just fine—lighting their Advent wreaths, attending daily Mass, praying the Saint Andrew Novena. But the truth is that many of us are quietly struggling to hold it all together. We’re also not meant to do this alone.
When we're buried under expectations and exhaustion, it's nearly impossible to dig out by ourselves. Like those tiny sea turtles under layers of sand, we need the nudges and movement of others to encourage us in our spiritual efforts and help us remember where we’re going.
Why Small Groups Make a Difference
This is where an Advent small group can be so transformative.
When we gather regularly with other women—even just a few—we create a space where spiritual growth is nurtured, supported, and sustained. We no longer have to “figure it out” on our own. Instead, we show up as we are, and others meet us there.
Here’s what a small group can offer this Advent:
- Connection: We’ll be reminded that we’re not alone in our struggles or desires. Others are walking the same path, and this shared journey will bring peace.
- Depth: By entering into this sacred season with In Time: Living in the Now and Not Yet, we’ll learn to trust God’s gracious will at work in our life and story. A Leader Guide is also available to help the group make the most of their time together.
- Accountability: Having a set time each week helps prioritize our faith. We’re more likely to open the devotional or pray when we know others are doing the same.
- Grace: Real-time intercession and emotional support can help us open our hearts to what God has for us and trust in His timing—this Advent and beyond.
Even if the rest of the week feels chaotic, making sacred space for a weekly encounter with other women can reorient our hearts during the sacred season of Advent.
Your Advent Invitation
You don’t have to be a theologian, a spiritual guru, or the “perfect Catholic woman” to join (or start!) an Advent small group. You just need to be willing.
Willing to show up.
Willing to open your heart.
Willing to be like those little hatching sea turtles, encouraging others to come out of their shells, push out from under the weight of the world, and reach for the Light.
If you’re longing for deeper connection this Advent, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect group. Start small. Start simple. Just start.
Text two or three friends and ask if they’d like to gather once a week during Advent—online or in person. Together you'll go further and grow stronger than you ever could on your own.
Walk with one another and the Blessed is She sisterhood through our Advent devotional, In Time: Living in the Now and Not Yet.
Let this be the Advent where you come out of hiding, into the Light—Jesus Christ—together.
Beth Davis est une amoureuse de Jésus, une ministre de la jeunesse récemment retraitée et la directrice de l'avancement du ministère pour Blessed is She. Elle se passionne pour enseigner aux femmes comment développer une relation intime avec Jésus et parler d'espoir aux cœurs fatigués. Ses choses préférées incluent être la tante de ses cinq nièces et neveux fantastiques, le générateur de noms de saints et tout livre qu'elle lit actuellement.
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